By Abiola Olawale
The 2024 governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Edo State, Olumide Akpata, has revealed his intention not to challenge the outcome of the September 21 gubernatorial election in court.
Akpata, in a press statement released on Saturday, said although he received some reports of irrelevant and electoral malpractices, he decided not to approach the tribunal.
He explained his decision, stating that he made it to direct his attention towards addressing what he referred to as a systemic failure.
According to him, there is an urgent need for attention to be placed on the system of democracy in Nigeria.
He said: “Today, as the statutory window for filing petitions at the gubernatorial election tribunal closes, we stand at a pivotal juncture in Edo State and Nigeria’s democratic journey,” the statement reads.
“After extensive deliberations with my legal team and key stakeholders, I have made the decision not to challenge the recent election results before the tribunal.
“This choice, borne out of deep reflection and rigorous analysis, transcends mere political calculation.
“It is a statement on the state of our democracy and a clarion call for all who cherish the principles of free and fair elections.
“As a legal practitioner with over three decades of experience, alongside my deputy, a distinguished Senior Advocate of Nigeria, we have scrutinised every facet of this election.
“Our conclusion, reached after consulting with some of the nation’s finest legal minds, is not just about the outcome of a single election but about the very foundations of our democratic process.
“My decision not to contest the election results at the tribunal is not an indication of compromise; rather, it is a strategic move aimed at redirecting our energies towards systemic changes that our democracy desperately needs.
“This moment calls for a paradigm shift in our approach to electoral reform. We cannot continue to operate within a system that incentivises manipulation and disenfranchisement.”
The New Diplomat reports that Akpata emerged third with 22, 763 votes in the election. He lost to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, who raked in 291,667 votes to defeat PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, who came second with 247,274 votes.
