The Labour Party (LP) is embroiled in controversy following the recent governorship election in Edo State.
Olumide Akpata, the party’s candidate, has been criticized by his own party for alleging electoral rigging.
Akpata expressed his disappointment over the conduct of the election, claiming manipulation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement released after the election, Akpata stated, “We anticipated that powerful forces would attempt to skew the outcome in their favour, regardless of the will of the people.”
His remarks have drawn attention amid accusations from within his party questioning his integrity.
Akpata’s claims come after a heated and competitive election where expectations of external influences were high.
However, Abayomi Arabambi, the Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, has publicly rebuked Akpata.
He stated that Akpata has no right to complain about electoral fraud, given that he allegedly secured his party’s nomination through dubious means.
“Olumide Akpata bought all the Labour Party delegates during the primary to get the Labour Party ticket,” Arabambi claimed.
He continued, “He bought over the party structure, gave them vehicles, and even called police to harass those who pointed out the abnormality.”
Arabambi’s comments raise significant questions about internal party politics.
He suggested that Akpata’s victory in securing the party’s ticket was itself a form of manipulation.
“Whatever INEC does was correct,” he declared, defending the electoral body’s actions in the face of Akpata’s criticisms.
Arabambi further criticized Nigerians for their tendency to view electoral outcomes through a biased lens.
“The problem with Nigerians and their leaders is that if anything doesn’t favour us, that thing is wrong,” he noted.
The fallout from the election has also seen other prominent figures drawn into the dispute.
Arabambi mentioned Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate for the Labour Party, and Alex Otti, the Governor of Abia State, in his criticisms.
He accused them of hypocrisy for praising INEC when it suited their interests.
“When they knew that we had a national convention in Nnewi, where INEC was invited, they said INEC was correct to say Abure’s tenure has expired,” he stated.
Arabambi pointed out that Akpata’s geographic proximity to Governor Godwin Obaseki may have contributed to the party’s defeat.
“Another reason that led to the defeat of LP was that Olumide Akpata is from the same local government and the same Senatorial District, with Governor Godwin Obaseki,” he explained.
This claim suggests that local dynamics may have influenced the election results more than any alleged manipulation by INEC or APC.
The Labour Party appears to be struggling with internal divisions as it grapples with the fallout from the Edo governorship election.
