Labour Party’s candidate in the 2024 Edo State governorship election, Olumide Akpata, has expressed no sympathy for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after their loss in the election.
Speaking at a press conference in Benin City, Akpata, who finished third with 22,763 votes, criticized the PDP for “crying foul” after participating in what he termed a “bidding war” with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement titled “Unbowed, Unbent, and Unbroken: Statement on the 2024 Edo State Gubernatorial Election Results”, Akpata accused both PDP and APC of engaging in vote-buying and contributing to the state’s economic woes over the last 25 years.
He said, “PDP now cries foul after being outmaneuvered in this game of thrones. They willingly participated in the bidding war with APC, fully aware of the rules. Their lamentations ring hollow in light of their own complicity.”
Akpata condemned both parties for reducing the electoral process to a “commodity market” and accused them of undermining the democratic process. He also highlighted the low voter turnout, citing it as evidence of the electorate’s growing apathy and disengagement.
“What transpired on September 21, 2024, was not an election but a transaction. Although free from historical forms of malpractice like ballot box snatching, the election was marred by voter intimidation and falsification of results,” Akpata said.
He commended those who voted despite the odds and stayed to ensure their votes were counted, calling them the “true heroes” of the election.
Akpata concluded that consultations within the Labour Party would determine his next steps, including the possibility of approaching the election petition tribunal.
