- Olumide Akpata came third in the Edo State gubernatorial election with 22,763 votes
- Akpata cited electoral malpractice, emphasising a stand against a compromised electoral system
- He expressed his decision to forgo legal challenges, highlighting the need for electoral reforms in Nigeria
The Labour Party's gubernatorial candidate in the just concluded Edo State election, Olumide Akpata has announced that he will not challenge the election results and explained his rationale.
In a statement released on Saturday, October 12, Akpata, the former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), who came third in the election with 22,763 votes expressed his stance, citing electoral malpractice and irregularities in the exercise.
LP’s Akpata says he won’t challenge election results
He said, “Today, as the statutory window for filing petitions at the gubernatorial election tribunal closes, we stand at a pivotal juncture in Edo State and Nigeria’s democratic journey.
“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,” Akpata stated.
He further said, “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.”
Akpata was defeated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, who garnered 291,667 votes, while the PDP's Asue Ighodalo secured second place with 247,274 votes.
Olumide Akpata explains his stance on Edo election results
The Labour Party's governorship candidate further said, “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 stated.
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Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Protests erupted in Edo State following the 2024 gubernatorial election results.
Allegations of violations of the Electoral Act were raised against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).