By Halima Abdulkadiri
The Labour Party (LP) caucus in the House of Representatives has labeled the recent Edo state governorship election as “the biggest theft of the season.” The statement followed the party’s candidate, Olumide Akpata, securing third place with over 22,000 votes, which the caucus claims was the result of rigging by “enemies of democracy.”
Addressing the press, Deputy Minority Whip Hon. George Ozodinobi emphasized that the caucus is currently consulting stakeholders on the next steps, expressing faith in the judiciary to address the alleged irregularities.
The caucus urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to protect democracy, citing issues of vote buying, voter intimidation, and other forms of malpractice that allegedly marred the electoral process.
“Our candidate, Barr. Olumide Akpata, a respected legal professional, was rigged out despite immense support. The Labour Party, which previously won one Senate seat and two House seats, was reduced to a paltry vote count,” Ozodinobi remarked.
The LP caucus called on INEC to rectify such discrepancies to uphold the integrity of future elections, especially as the 2027 polls approach, reaffirming their commitment to defending democratic principles and the rights of Edo State citizens.
