Third-Place Olumide Akpata Breaks Silence, Says Edo Election Was Sold to Highest Bidder

Labour Party’s governorship candidate in Edo State, Barrister Olumide Akpata, has criticized the September 21 election, describing it as an auction to the highest bidder. Akpata expressed his disappointment following the declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner.

Akpata condemned the influence of money in the election, stating, “We remain steadfast in our commitment to building a democracy that works for all, not just for the highest bidder. We envision an Edo State, and a Nigeria, where ideas triumph over Naira, and the collective will of the people shapes our future.”

He emphasized the need for comprehensive electoral reforms, advocating for the use of technology to prevent vote-buying. According to Akpata, such reforms would create a system where “vote buying becomes not just difficult, but impossible.”

The Labour Party candidate also highlighted the underlying socio-economic issues contributing to vote-selling, calling for economic opportunities, better education, and societal improvements to prevent citizens from being tempted to mortgage their future for immediate gains.

Akpata lamented the current state of Nigeria’s political landscape, asserting that it is dominated not by ideologies or the people’s will, but by individuals with the deepest pockets and the widest networks of influence. He further condemned the practice of vote buying, blaming it for the ongoing economic challenges in Edo State over the past 25 years.

Despite his disappointment with the election outcome, Akpata reaffirmed the Labour Party’s commitment to upholding the sanctity of the ballot and protecting the people’s right to choose their leaders freely, without coercion or inducement.

Akpata finished third in the election with 22,763 votes.