Former Edo LP Governorship Candidate Olumide Akpata Joins ADC
The 2024 Labour Party governorship candidate in Edo State, Barrister Olumide Akpata, on Tuesday formally defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Akpata was welcomed into the party at an event in Benin City attended by Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate; Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, former governor of Edo State; Professor Oserhiemen Osunbor, also a former Edo governor; Roland Owie, former Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate; Kenneth Odion, and other party leaders.
Speaking after receiving his ADC membership card, Akpata said a new Nigeria would only emerge if citizens vote wisely for the right candidates and political parties.
He explained that his defection, alongside his running mate in the 2024 governorship election, Yusuf Asama Kadiri (SAN), and members of the Obidient Movement in the state, was aimed at strengthening the party.
According to him, “The Labour Party is fully represented here today. We don’t have time but our zones are represented here today to show that we have come to add value to the African Democratic Congress.
“I just want to say we are grateful. Those of us who have come from Labour Party, we are grateful for the warm reception. We thank our leaders.
“We thank Mr Peter Obi, our leader, who brought us here. We thank Chief Oyegun, our father, who on behalf of the ADC caucus have received us here today. We are grateful to you all.”
In his remarks, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, a national leader of the party, said the ADC continues to grow both in number and calibre of members.
“Our stock is growing every day, not just in numbers, but fortunately in quality. You can’t have it better than having a man like Olu Akpata and this man who has lit fire in this country, Mr Peter Obi.
“Having Barrister Olumide Akpata in our party shows the strength of the ADC. When I spoke to our new member a few months ago, he wasn’t totally finished with politics. He was indifferent to politics.
“But over the months, even he has said that this is a nation that needs to be saved. And so, on his own, influenced by many factors, today we have registered one of the most illustrious sons of this country and a proud citizen of Edo State,” he said.
Earlier, the Edo State chairman of the ADC, Kennedy Odion, described Akpata as a Nigerian who understands the direction the country should take and how to move it out of its current economic challenges.
Also speaking, Peter Obi assured supporters that the ADC remains committed to building a new Nigeria despite political obstacles.
“Let me assure all of us here, we are committed to a new Nigeria. They might do everything possible to stop us, but I assure you our commitment is total.
“We must build a country that works for everybody. It is not working for everybody today. We must build a country where nobody can be somebody without knowing anybody.
“That’s why I say we must move the country from consumption to production to make a new Nigeria possible.
“Let us go out and fight for that new Nigeria. It will not be easy. They will do everything to deter us, but we must secure the future for ourselves and for our children,” he stated.
