I decided not to waste my time to challenge Edo governorship election because of my resolution against flawed system —Olumide Akpata
Olumide Akpata, former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and the candidate for the Labour Party (LP) in the September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship election, has explained why he chose not to challenge the election result at the tribunal.
On October 21, 2024, the last day for filing petitions at the gubernatorial election tribunal, Akpata, who had campaigned under the slogan #EdoWillBeOk, explained his decision not to contest the results.
“My decision not to approach the tribunal is not a capitulation to injustice but a resolute stand against a flawed system,” Akpata stated.
“I choose to rise above the quagmire of protracted legal battles that sometimes serve to legitimise a fundamentally compromised process. The burden of proof placed on petitioners is not just high; it is often insurmountable.”
Akpata finished a distant third in the election, securing just 22,763 votes, as Okpebholo of the APC was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
