Akpata denies defection rumours, says he won’t join APC

Olumide Akpata, candidate of the Labour Party in the 2024 Edo governorship election, has denied reports that he has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Akpata described the report as “malicious, mischievous and utterly false”, insisting it was concocted in the “dark alleys of social media” and amplified by mischief makers.

“This piece of fiction is a complete fabrication, devoid of truth, and designed to mislead the public,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

The former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) said his first instinct was to ignore the reports, but the volume of calls and messages from concerned family, friends and supporters made it necessary to respond.

“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,” he said.

“I remain firmly and unapologetically committed to the Labour Party and the ideals and principles it represents. I will therefore continue to invest my time and resources to ensure that the party remains on course.”

Akpata criticised those spreading the rumour and expressed concern about how easily people were willing to believe it.

“Given that we live in an era increasingly defined by deepfakes and relentless online rumour mongering, it is incumbent on us all to carry out minimum due diligence before joining in the fray,” he said.

“It is indeed regrettable that social media continues to be weaponised as a conduit for spreading falsehoods and manufacturing narratives that bear no resemblance to reality.”

The Labour Party chieftain said nothing has changed about his loyalty since joining the party in March 2023.

“When I joined the Labour Party in March 2023, I did so openly,” he said.

“I attended my first ward meeting at the party secretariat in Oredo ward 6, where I was formally introduced to members of the party in the ward and presented with my membership card. Nothing has changed for now.”

He urged his friends, family, supporters and well-wishers to disregard the rumours and treat them with contempt.

“No matter how many times a lie is shared, it will never become the truth,” he added.