Olumide Akpata, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, on Thursday declared his intention to run for Governor of Edo State on the platform of the Labour Party.
Akpata, who recently joined the Labour Party, said he was joining the race to serve the people of Edo State and to change the narrative of governance in the state. He described the Labour Party as the only people-oriented political party in Nigeria.
“My interest is for the people of Edo State,” Akpata said. “And what I find out in politics and governance in Nigeria today is that the people have been taken out of the equation. No one cares about the people.
“So, when I look around, the only party I find to be people-oriented and to be interested in the lots of our people is the Labour Party. So, I have come here to express my interest in contesting the position of the governor and to carry the people along.”
Akpata promised to take the Labour Party to greater heights if he emerged as the party’s candidate in the primary election.
In his response, the state chairman of the Labour Party, Kelly Ogbaloi, said the State Working Committee of the party had agreed to allow Akpata to run for governor. He promised a level playing ground for all aspirants.
