LP Gubernatorial Aspirant Writes to INEC, Alleges Lack of Readiness for Transparent Primary Election

Olumide Akpata, a prominent aspirant for the Labour Party (LP) ticket in the upcoming Edo gubernatorial election, has penned a letter to Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), expressing concerns about the lack of transparency in the party’s primary process.

Originally scheduled for February 22, the LP primary date was later shifted to February 23. Akpata, in his letter dated February 18, alleges a potential plot within the party’s leadership to handpick a candidate, raising doubts about the fairness of the selection process.

Akpata highlighted the conspicuous absence of transparency, resulting in a mass exodus of aspirants from the race. He emphasized that the departure of aspirants not only hampers the democratic process but also signals a loss of trust in the integrity of the party’s leadership.

In the letter, Akpata stated, “INEC has a crucial role to play in protecting the sanctity of the choice of flagbearers by political parties.” He called for INEC’s intervention to ensure the LP adheres strictly to the reforms outlined in the Electoral Act 2022 regarding transparent primaries.

The former president of the Nigerian Bar Association revealed that his attempts to seek accountability from the party leadership were met with disdain and attempts to silence him. Akpata urged INEC to prevent potential pre-election disputes by taking a stance on due process in political parties, emphasizing the importance of avoiding unnecessary legal entanglements that could strain INEC’s resources.

As the Edo gubernatorial election approaches on September 21, 2024, Akpata’s plea for transparency in the LP primary process raises questions about the integrity of the upcoming electoral exercise.