Otti Hails Akpata’s Emergence as Edo LP Guber Candidate, Calls for Full Support

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The emergence of Mr. Olumide Akpata as the Edo State governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) has generated excitement in Abia State with Governor Alex Otti expressing delight at the process through which the flag bearer emerged.

Akpata, who is a legal practitioner and former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), scored 316 votes to win the party primary conducted last Friday in Benin. 

He was consequently declared winner of the primary by the Deputy Governor of Abia State,  Mr Ikechukwu Emetu, who chaired the election committee.

Otti, in a statement issued by his office and signed by the chief press secretary, Kazie Uko, congratulated Akpata on his emergence as the LP flag bearer in the Edo governorship poll billed for September 21, 2024.

The Abia governor equally lauded the Governorship Primary Election Committee of LP for conducting a credible and transparent election, noting that his Deputy, Emetu, had dutifully performed his role as the Returning Officer.

He expressed gladness that the primary election was conducted peacefully and has been adjudged as free, fair and credible by majority of the aspirants that participated in the exercise unlike what obtained in the camps of rival political parties.

Otti noted that the LP primary poll was conducted in line with the philosophy of the party which is equity, fairness and justice, and therefore congratulated the other aspirants for exhibiting the spirit of sportsmanship and called on them to support Akpata in the journey to claim Edo State for Labour Party.

“Now that the primaries are over, I call on all the aspirants, and indeed our party members in Edo State to rally behind our candidate as we embark on the journey to take over the Government House in Benin,” he said.

Otti commended the leadership of the party at both state and national levels for working hard to ensure a peaceful party primary, pointing the way for a successful electioneering and electoral victory for the party in Edo State.