TheCable

The Labour Party (LP) says Olumide Akpata, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), is its “authentic” governorship candidate in Edo state.

In a statement on Sunday, Obiora Ifoh, LP’s national publicity secretary, urged Nigerians to ignore “any other list” of candidates representing the party at the Edo governorship election.

On Friday, Akpata was elected as the LP candidate for the September 21 governorship election in Edo.

Akpata scored 316 votes to beat other aspirants in the poll.

However, in a letter circulating on social media, the Lamidi Apapa-led faction of LP wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and claimed that Anderson Asemota is the party’s governorship candidate.

Reacting to the letter, Ifoh distanced the national leadership of the party from the letter and described its content as the work of “desperate people seeking recognition”.

Ifoh said the only primary election it held in Edo was won by Akpata.

He added that the event was “televised live on notable television stations” and “INEC officials led by the state electoral commissioner also observed the very successful primaries”.

“Labour is thereby urging Nigerians to distance from any other list other than that of Barrister Olumide Akpata as the only candidate being sponsored by the Labour Party,” the statement reads.

“We also use this medium to specially appeal to the media to stop progressing with this fictional narrative.

“There is no faction in the Labour Party. If you are still in doubt of the authentic leadership of the Labour Party, please check the website of the INEC.

“Stop sympathizing with some undemocratic elements that have vowed to destroy the very institution we are working hard to protect.“