The Labour Party, LP, led by Julius Abure, has held its governorship candidate in Edo State, Barr. Olumide Akpata, and the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, responsible for its poor showing in the recently concluded Edo governorship election.
In addition to addressing its internal issues, the party congratulated the Edo State Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and the All Progressives Congress APC, on their victory, acknowledging it as well deserved.
The LP also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for overseeing what it described as one of the fairest, freest, and most peaceful elections in Nigeria.
Abayomi Arabambi, the party’s Publicity Secretary, conveyed these sentiments in a statement released in Abeokuta, Ogun State. He criticized those accusing INEC of partiality and electoral fraud, stating that such individuals have failed to learn from the past.
He said, “whatever INEC does was correct. The problem with Nigerians and their leaders is that if anything doesn’t favour us, that thing is wrong, but if it favour us even when it’s wrong, we described it as the right thing”.
The party noted “just last week, Mr. Peter Obi and Alex Otti were clapping for INEC who alleged that the tenure of Abure has expired. When they knew that we had a national convention in Nnewi, where INEC was invited, Alex Otti sponsored the convention, his Deputy represented him at the convention, all his commissioners were present, and yet because they wanted to forcefully and illegally take over the party, they said INEC was correct to say Abure’s tenure has expired when they themselves know that INEC was not truthful, but acting illegally. Today because they failed in Edo, INEC has done the wrong thing”.
“Another reason that led to the defeat of LP was that Olumide Akpata is from the same local government (Oredo) and the same Senatorial District, with Governor Godwin Obaseki, who will soon complete his eight-years term.
He added that “people of Edo wanted the next governor to emerge from Edo Central which explains why APC and PDP took their candidates from there”.
“Olumide Akpata has no reason to complain about the election and buying of votes. Akpata bought all the Labour Party delegates during the primary to get the Labour Party ticket. He bought over the party structure, gave them vehicles. He even called police to harass those who pointed out the abnormality. He bought the National Working Committee over, and took the ticket”, Arabambi said.
(Vanguard)
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