LP Candidate, Olumide Akpata Says He Won’t Challenge Outcome of Edo Guber Poll

Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party (LP) candidate in the recent Edo State governorship election, has disclosed that He won’t be heading to the Court to challenge the results of the September 21 poll, where he emerged a distant third position with 22,763 votes.

Mr Akpata, who is a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in a statement released on Saturday, said the decision was taken after an extensive deliberation with his legal team and stakeholders of his Party.

He further said regardless of the obvious irregularities that characterized the election, He has decided to move forward for the betterment of Edo State, instead of engaging in a lengthy legal battle.

He added that his decision reflects his commitment to Edo’s democratic progress.

“After extensive deliberations with my legal team and key stakeholders, I have made the decision not to challenge the recent election results before the tribunal.

“My decision not to approach the tribunal is not a capitulation to injustice, but a resolute stand against a flawed system.

“I chose to rise above the quagmire of protracted legal battles that often serve to legitimise a fundamentally compromised process. Instead, I commit myself to the arduous but necessary task of systemic reform.

“Our fight transcends the confines of a courtroom; it is a battle for the very soul of our democracy.

“This choice, borne out of deep reflection and rigorous analysis, transcends mere political calculation.

“It is a statement on the state of our democracy and a clarion call for all who cherish the principles of free and fair elections.

“As a legal practitioner with over three decades of experience, alongside my deputy, a distinguished Senior Advocate of Nigeria, we have scrutinised every facet of this election.

“Our conclusion, reached after consulting with some of the nation’s finest legal minds, is not just about the outcome of a single election but about the very foundations of our democratic process,” Akpata noted.

Didactic Information Hut recalls that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, the winner with 291,667 votes, followed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Asue Ighodalo with 247,274 votes.