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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
A former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata, has been declared winner of the Labour Party (LP) governorship primary in Edo State.
Akpata scored 316 votes to win the exercise held in Benin City, the Edo State capital, on Friday.
The deputy governor of Abia State, Ikechukwu Emeta, who is the returning officer for the election declared Akpata as the winner of the exercise.
After his emergence, Akpata paid tribute to a former governor of Ondo State and former NBA President, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), who was buried on the same day in Owo, Ondo State.
He also thanked his supporters and members of the party for their backing, promising to work for the good of the state if he wins the September 21 governorship election.
His victory comes months after he declared interest in the Edo State governorship race under the Labour Party.
In October 2023, Akpata visited the Labour Party secretariat in Benin City, to formally declare his interest in the race, saying his decision was because of his love for the people.
“My interest is for the people of Edo State. And what I find out about politics and governance in Nigeria today is that the people have been taken out of the equation. Nobody cares about the people.
“So, when I look around, the only party I find to be people-oriented and interested in lots of our people is the Labour Party. So I have come here to express my interest and to carry the people along,” Akpata had said.
The 51-year-old corporate lawyer had in August 2023, resigned from the law firm, TEMPLARS, where he served as a senior partner.
“The Partners and management of TEMPLARS wish to announce that a Senior Partner at the Firm and the immediate past President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Olumide Akpata, has formally informed the Firm of his decision to participate in active politics.
“On account of this, and in line with the Firm’s governance protocols, Olumide Akpata and the Partners of the Firm have agreed that he disengages from the Firm with effect from 31st August 2023. This will enable him to fully focus on his project of contributing towards nation building,” the law firm had said in a statement.
Akpata subsequently joined Labour Party, saying he wanted to play a more active part in the country’s political process.
“This was a major step for me and not one that I took lightly…but I simply got tired of complaining about Nigeria every day and bemoaning her fate and I decided to take the plunge and try to be part of the solution rather than agonising continually over the problem.
“This, for me, is the start of a very important journey and it is my prayer that I arrive safely at my destination,” he said.