Olumide Akpata, ex-NBA president, joins Edo guber race under LP

Olumide Akpata, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has declared his intention to contest the Edo state governorship election on the platform of the Labour Party (LP).

Akpata, a former partner at Templars, an African law firm, was the 30th president of the NBA.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed September 21, 2024, for the conduct of the governorship election in Edo.

The ex-NBA president said he decided to contest the election on the platform of LP because it is the only people-oriented political party.

He said he has the experience and the capacity to lead the people of Edo state.

“My interest is for the people of Edo State. And what I find out in politics and governance in Nigeria today is that the people have been taken out of the equation. Nobody cares about the people,” NAN quoted Akpata as saying.

“So, when I look around, the only party I find to be people-oriented and interested in the lots of our people is the Labour Party. So, I have come here to express my interest and to carry the people along.”

He promised to take the LP to greater heights if elected as the candidate of the party in the primary election.

In his remarks, Kelly Ogbaloi, Edo LP chairman, said the state working committee of the party has endorsed Akpata’s aspiration.

Ogbaloi also promised to provide a level playing ground for all aspirants in the party.