Tuesday, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, led the first campaign for the party’s governorship candidate, Barrister Olumide Akpata, in Benin City, the Edo State capital... CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶
Obi joined Akpata and party supporters in canvassing for votes ahead of the state’s September 21 governorship election.
Speaking at various campaign points during a roadshow, Obi urged eligible voters in Edo to turn out en masse and support the party and its candidate.
He added that Olumide Akpata would bring the much-needed change to move Edo forward.
Earlier, Akpata described the upcoming election as “freedom day” for Edo people, urging them to vote for the Labour Party.
“There’s been too much quarrel. Everyone should do their homework. Today’s unity turnout was massive, and we are confident of victory,” Akpata remarked.
He emphasised that his aim in joining the Labour Party was not to resolve disputes but to secure victory on September 21.
“Labour Party is the winning party, and we are not here to fight. We are here to win the election,” he concluded.
Leadership crisis stalled campaign, factional leaders optimistic of victory
With barely two weeks to the Edo State governorship election, the Labour Party had until yesterday remained largely invisible, as its rivals, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), campaign vigorously across the state.
Out of the 17 political parties contesting, analysts believe that only the APC, PDP, and LP have significant chances of success. However, the LP’s presence in the campaign had been notably absent, especially in comparison to its counterparts.
Internal divisions within the party’s state chapter have exacerbated the situation. One faction is loyal to embattled National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, with former Edo House of Assembly Speaker, Elizabeth Ativie, serving as its chair. Meanwhile, another faction, led by Barrister Kelly Ogbaloi, includes the LP governorship candidate, Akpata.
The internal crisis dates back to May, when the party’s state executive, under Ogbaloi’s leadership, ratified the suspension of National Chairman Abure. In response, Abure, via the National Working Committee, dissolved the Ogbaloi-led executive and replaced it with a caretaker committee headed by Ativie.
