By DADA AYOKHAI
After days of intense speculations about his next political move, Mr. Olumide Akpata did not disappoint followers and sympathizers alike as he made good his gubernatorial ambition by formally joining the Labour Party in Edo State
Akpata, the immediate past President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), formally joined the Labour Party state secretariat in Benin, at a very colourful ceremony to receive him along with the hordes of his backers, thereby swelling the rank of eminent Edo indigenes seeking to occupy the Dennis Osadebe Government House come 2024 when the second term tenure of Gov. Obaseki is expected to expire
The entrance of the legal luminary, who is also a proud scion of the famous Akpata family in Benin, will likely alter the complexion of the Edo 2024 Guber race.
He lamented that the people had been “taken out of the equation in both governance and politics” and promised to change the narrative if given the opportunity to fly the LP flag.
The fiery rights activist had, earlier in August, walked away from his lucrative law practice, and threw his hat into the murky waters of politics.
Speculations became rife that the outspoken former NBA President who waged war against impunity and the flagrant disregard for the rule of law by the ruling political elites and also rebranded the NBA during his tenure was headed for the Labour Party
On hand to receive the erstwhile NBA President and his supporters into the LP fold were the Edo State LP chairman, Hon. Kelly Ogbaloi, and the other members of the party’s State Working. Committee
Ogbaloi said the state LP is excited with the decision of Akpata and his horde of followers to join the party, adding the party in the state has grown in leaps and bounds, becoming the most sought-after platform in the run-up to the Edo 2024 governorship race
He also promised to create a level playing field for all the aspirants.
