The governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the 2024 Edo State election, Olumide Akpata, has officially defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Akpata announced his decision on Tuesday at a ceremony held at the ADC secretariat in Benin City, the Edo State capital. He said his move was influenced by the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi.
According to Akpata, he decided to join the ADC after Obi formally became a member of the party on December 31, 2025. He said he was motivated by the need to align with like-minded Nigerians who believe in building a better country.
“I joined the party to add value,” Akpata said after he was handed the ADC membership card by the state chairman.
Akpata was received by top members of the party in Edo State. Those present at the event included the State Chairman of the ADC, Kennedy Odion; former Edo State governors, John Odigie-Oyegun and Oserheimen Osunbor; former Senate Chief Whip, Roland Owie; and Hon. Murphy Omoruyi, who represents Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
The event also drew supporters of the Obidient Movement, a group of young and middle-aged Nigerians who strongly backed Obi during the 2023 presidential election.
In his remarks, Akpata thanked the ADC leadership for welcoming him. He also appreciated members of the Obidient Movement for their loyalty and commitment to what he described as the dream of a new Nigeria.
Akpata came into national politics after a successful career as a lawyer and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association. In 2024, he contested the Edo State governorship election under the Labour Party platform. Although he did not win the election, he gained attention for his campaign style and message focused on governance and reforms.
The Labour Party itself rose to national prominence in 2023 during the presidential campaign of Peter Obi. Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, became popular among young voters and urban professionals who were seeking change from the two major parties, the APC and the PDP.
However, since the 2023 elections, there have been internal disagreements within the Labour Party at both national and state levels. Political observers say these internal issues may have influenced the decision of some members to seek new political platforms.
Akpata did not directly criticise the Labour Party during his speech, but he made it clear that Obi’s move to the ADC played a key role in his own decision.
In his address, Peter Obi repeated his call for a new Nigeria built on fairness and equal opportunities.
“Our commitment to a new Nigeria is total though they are doing everything possible to stop us,” Obi said.
He stressed that Nigeria must become a country that works for everyone, not just a few people. According to him, many Nigerians feel left out of the country’s economic and political system.
“We must build a nation that works for all, not a few. This country is currently working for a few. It shouldn’t be so. We are all Nigerians,” he said.
Obi also said Nigeria must move from being a consuming nation to a producing nation. He explained that the country depends too much on imports and crude oil sales, instead of building strong industries and supporting local production.
The Edo State Chairman of the ADC, Kennedy Odion, welcomed Akpata and praised Obi for his steady commitment to political change.
Odion said the party is focused on building a strong coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections. He described the ADC as a platform for Nigerians who want transparent leadership and economic reforms.
Former governor John Odigie-Oyegun also spoke at the event. Oyegun, who once led a coalition that helped form the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013, said the ADC is building a strong political movement.
“Our stocks are growing every day, not just in number but in quality. Nigeria is a nation that needs to be saved,” Oyegun said.
On his part, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor expressed confidence that the coalition being formed under the ADC would succeed in the 2027 elections. He recalled how a coalition led by Oyegun played a role in the APC’s victory in 2015.
According to Osunbor, the current coalition under the ADC would also lead to victory in 2027.
During his speech, Osunbor accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of planning to rig the 2027 elections. He claimed that some leaders of the party only pretend to be democrats.
He cited the refusal of the National Assembly to approve mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results as a major concern.
“The major mistake that was made in the 2023 election is that election results were not transmitted electronically in real time in the presidential election,” he said.
Osunbor argued that real-time transmission would make elections more transparent and reduce the chances of manipulation.
He warned that the opposition would resist any attempt to rig future elections and called on Nigerians to remain alert.
The ADC, once seen as a minor party, now appears to be positioning itself as a platform for a broader coalition of opposition figures.
For many supporters at the Benin event, the focus was less on party names and more on the promise of change. Supporters waved party flags and chanted slogans calling for good governance and economic reforms.
As the 2027 elections approach, political activities are expected to increase across the country. For now, Akpata’s move has added fresh energy to the ADC in Edo State and may influence other politicians considering similar steps.
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