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- Olumide Akpata has firmly denied rumours of his defection from the Labour Party to the All Progressives Congress (APC), calling the claims “false” and “laughable”
- The former NBA President issued a statement on X, clarifying that he remains committed to the Labour Party and has no intention of joining the APC
- His response comes amid growing speculation on social media following the 2024 Edo State gubernatorial election
Olumide Akpata, the former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President and Labour Party candidate in the 2024 Edo State gubernatorial election, has publicly refuted claims circulating on social media that he has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a strongly worded statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on 16 September, Akpata dismissed the allegations as baseless and malicious. He described the rumour as a fabrication “concocted in the dark alleys of social media” and amplified by “mischief-makers.”
Source: Facebook
Akpata stated:
“In the past 24 hours, a malicious, mischievous and utterly false rumour has been concocted in the dark alleys of social media, and unfortunately amplified by mischief-makers, alleging that I have abandoned the @NgLabour Party, the very platform on which I contested the 2024 Edo State gubernatorial election, to join the All Progressives Congress (APC). This is not only false but laughable. I state without equivocation that I have neither contemplated, discussed, nor effected a defection to the APC and for the avoidance of doubt, I have no intention of ever joining the APC.”
His post appeared to be a direct response to growing speculation online regarding his political allegiance following the 2024 election.
Akpata reaffirms commitment to Labour party
Akpata’s clarification comes amid heightened political activity in Edo State, where party alignments and defections have become a focal point ahead of future elections. By reaffirming his loyalty to the Labour Party, Akpata sought to dispel any ambiguity surrounding his political stance.
The statement has since drawn reactions from supporters and political observers, many of whom praised his transparency and forthrightness.
Who is Olumide Akpata?
Olumide Akpata is a distinguished Nigerian legal practitioner and politician, born on 7 October 1972 in Edo State.
He earned his law degree from the University of Benin and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1993. Akpata rose to prominence as the first non–Senior Advocate of Nigeria in nearly three decades to lead the Nigerian Bar Association, serving as president from 2020 to 2022.
He was a senior partner at Templars law firm before resigning in 2023 to pursue politics. Akpata is the Labour Party’s candidate in the 2024 Edo State gubernatorial election and remains a vocal advocate for good governance.
Akpata joins Peter Obi’s Labour Party
Legit.ng earlier reported that Olumide Akpata, the immediate past president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), on Tuesday, August 1, confirmed his membership of the Labour Party (LP).
Akpata, who made this confirmation via his official Twitter page, said he “simply got tired of complaining about Nigeria every day”, Premium Times reported. According to him, his decision is “the start of a very important journey”, The Nation also reported.
Akpata’s alliance with the LP is seen as a booster to the Labour Party and Peter Obi’s attempt to democratically displace the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Source: Legit.ng
