Olumide Akpata Weighs Legal Options Following Edo Governorship Election Outcome

Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party’s (LP) gubernatorial candidate in Edo State for the 2024 election, has revealed that he is considering legal action to challenge the outcome of the recent polls. Akpata, who finished third in the election, cited numerous irregularities in the process and is currently consulting with his legal team and party officials before making a final decision.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the closely contested election, with 291,667 votes. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, secured 247,274 votes, while Akpata garnered 22,763 votes.

In an interview with Channels TV on Wednesday, Akpata, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), expressed dissatisfaction with both the results and the election process. He indicated that his legal team is currently reviewing the available evidence and gathering additional information before deciding on the next steps.

“It is a decision that the Labour Party and I will have to take jointly, whether or not we will challenge the outcome of the election,” Akpata said. “I am going to be meeting with my lawyers, and the Labour Party will also be meeting with its lawyers. We will then come to a decision whether or not we will be challenging the outcome.”

He added that it is crucial to allow his legal team to analyze the evidence before proceeding with any legal challenges.

As the political landscape in Edo State remains tense, the Labour Party is expected to make a decision in the coming days regarding the possibility of contesting the election results in court.