The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has attributed the party’s poor performance in the Edo State governorship election to its candidate, Olumide Akpata, and former presidential candidate Peter Obi.
In a statement, LP Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, praised the Independent National Electoral Commission for conducting a fair, free, and peaceful election, according to Vanguard.
However, Arabambi criticized Akpata’s allegations of vote-buying, citing his own history of purchasing party delegates and structures.
The party also faulted Obi’s statement on INEC’s handling of the election, labeling it an insult to Edo people seeking equity and justice.
Arabambi noted that Akpata’s local government and senatorial district, shared with outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki, contributed to the party’s defeat.
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”.
The Labour Party has urged Edo residents to support the newly elected governor and assured continued work within the party’s constitution under Julius Abure’s leadership.
“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.
