Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party’s (LP) candidate in the recently concluded Edo State Governorship election, has attributed his party's third-place finish to what he described as a “deeply flawed” electoral process.
Akpata, a former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president, expressed his disappointment at the outcome, claiming that widespread irregularities marred the credibility of the election.
In a press conference following the announcement of the election results, Akpata alleged that voter suppression, ballot tampering, and other acts of malpractice were responsible for Labour Party’s inability to secure a better outcome.
According to him, the election was not reflective of the will of the Edo people, who had demonstrated their desire for change.
“Labour Party entered this election with significant momentum. The people were ready for a new direction, but unfortunately, the process was rigged to prevent that from happening,” Akpata said.
He further pointed out the widespread reports of intimidation at polling units, late arrival of election materials, and the malfunctioning of electronic voting systems, which he argued contributed to the party's poor performance.
The Edo State Governorship election, which saw the candidates of the ruling party and the main opposition battle it out for first and second places, had been predicted by some analysts to be a more competitive race.
However, Labour Party's unexpected third-place finish has left its supporters demanding answers.
Akpata has vowed to challenge the outcome through legal means, calling for an independent investigation into the election's conduct.
“This is not just about Labour Party; it’s about the future of democracy in Nigeria. We cannot allow a flawed process to dictate the fate of the people,” he said passionately.
Despite Akpata’s claims, the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission has rejected allegations of wrongdoing, insisting that the election was conducted fairly and transparently.
In their official statement, they noted that all parties had ample opportunity to participate fully in the process and dismissed suggestions of bias or malpractice.
The Labour Party is expected to file a petition in the coming days, as pressure mounts for electoral reforms to address the growing concerns around election integrity in Nigeria.
With Akpata’s criticism gaining traction among party faithful, this may spark fresh calls for a review of the nation’s electoral system.
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politics