Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party candidate in the recent Edo State governorship election, has decided not to challenge the election results in court. Despite finishing third with 22,763 votes, Akpata emphasized that his decision reflects a focus on pushing for systemic reforms rather than engaging in a lengthy legal dispute.
In a statement released on Saturday, Akpata acknowledged the flaws in the election process, citing issues like vote-buying and questionable collation procedures. However, he stated that contesting the results would not address the deeper problems in Nigeria’s electoral system. “This decision is not about accepting injustice, but about focusing on the root causes of our flawed democratic process,” Akpata explained.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner, with 291,667 votes, followed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Asue Ighodalo, who received 247,274 votes.
Akpata, a former Nigerian Bar Association president, said that after extensive consultations with legal experts and stakeholders, he concluded that pursuing a court case would not lead to meaningful change. Instead, he intends to dedicate his efforts to advocating for comprehensive electoral reform and strengthening democracy in Edo State and across Nigeria.
“There is no point in getting trapped in a protracted legal battle that often legitimizes a compromised process. Our democracy needs to be reimagined and rebuilt from the ground up,” he said.
Akpata also dismissed rumors of an alliance with the ruling APC, firmly rejecting any suggestion of compromise. “My stance remains clear—the fight is for the integrity of our democratic system, not for personal gain or political power.”
Looking ahead, Akpata plans to focus on grassroots mobilization and partnerships with civil society organizations to push for electoral reforms and promote civic education. He urged his supporters to stay active in the political process, stressing that the real battle is for the future of Nigeria’s democracy.
“The Edo State and Nigeria we envision are possible if we work together to reform our democratic institutions,” Akpata concluded, expressing hope for a brighter political future.
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