Benin City, Nigeria – Labour Party Chieftain and governorship aspirant in Edo State, Olumide Akpata, has refuted claims of his involvement and that of his supporters in the recent protest at the party’s secretariat where the National Chairman, Julius Abure, was attacked by disgruntled members.
The protest, which occurred last Sunday, saw hundreds of party members, mostly youths, expressing their dissatisfaction with Abure’s alleged support for certain aspirants ahead of the party’s governorship primary. The demonstrators accused him of compromising his position and preventing a fair primary election process.
Akpata, speaking at a press conference in Benin City, emphasized his commitment to peaceful and ethical participation in the political process. He stated that the allegations linking him and his supporters to the protest were unfounded and aimed at tarnishing his reputation and integrity.
The governorship aspirant further addressed previous unfounded allegations against him, reaffirming his dedication to a violence-free and lawful pursuit of his political ambitions. He warned those behind the false accusations to cease their efforts to damage his standing within the Labour Party, vowing to take legal action if necessary.
In light of the upcoming primary elections on February 22, 2024, Akpata’s denial of involvement in the protest serves as a strategic move to maintain his political credibility and reaffirm his commitment to ethical political conduct.
The controversy surrounding the protest and subsequent allegations highlights the intense competition and tensions within the Labour Party as aspirants jostle for leadership positions. As the situation develops, the party’s leadership and members now face the challenge of maintaining internal cohesion and fair democratic processes amidst growing discord.