Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Olumide Akpata, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the forthcoming Edo State gubernatorial election.
Akpata was declared the winner of the party’s primary election which took place held in Benin City, the state capital, after securing 316 votes to defeat other aspirants in a landslide victory.
He was declared winner by Abia State Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, who conducted the primary election in Benin City.
Akpata, a former Senior Partner and Head of the Corporate and Commercial Practice Group at Templars Law Firm based in Lagos, resigned his position on 31 August, 2023. After his resignation, he declared his intention to contest for Edo State governorship position on the platform of the LP.
Akpata formally declared his interest in the race in October 2023, citing his love for the people.
While giving his declaration speech, he said: “My interest is for the people of Edo State. And what I find out about politics and governance in Nigeria today is that the people have been taken out of the equation. Nobody cares about the people.
“So, when I look around, the only party I find to be people-oriented and interested in lots of our people is the Labour Party. So I have come here to express my interest and to carry the people along,” he added.
