Politics

Edo Guber: LP’s Akpata Distances Self From Alleged Sponsor Of Protest

Published

2 years ago

February 6, 2024

A frontline Labour Party (LP) governorship aspirant in the forthcoming election in Edo State, Barrister Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata, has distanced himself from the allegations and rumours making the rounds that he sponsored the protest that took place at the secretariat of the party in Benin on Sunday.

Recall that some members and supporters of the party who were mostly youths besieged the state party secretariat in their hundreds on Sunday and accused the national chairman of the party, Barrister Julius Abure of alleged support for some aspirants ahead of the party governorship primary to be held later this month.

Reacting to the protest and his alleged sponsor of the act during a press conference, the governorship aspirant said he never knew anything about the protest neither was in town, adding “the unfounded allegations and rumours are from persons who are not comfortable with my joining Labour Party.”

The immediate past President of the Nigerian Bar Association, while condemning the act, said he’s in the Labour Party to build it by joining hands with other well meaning party members, hence he wouldn’t have hands in such an act.

“The baseless rumours and insinuations that have been mischievously circulated that these protesters are carrying out my bidding are totally false, unfounded, and quite frankly ridiculous. My major concern is that, these allegations are coming from a very high quarters of my party. And this is why I called this press conference to refute it,” he said.

He added: “I am in the Labour Party to build it; by joining hands with other party faithfuls, and that is what I have been doing, and that is what I am going to do. I am not in the Labour Party on national youth service. I am here as a permanent member, so no one can force me out. Any effort to force me out is in futility.”

On allegation of him being an agent of Governor Godwin Obaseki in the party, Akpata said: “I have repeatedly denied it that I am not governor Godwin Obaseki’s agent. I have rejected that label; I have rejected that toga. If you label me as Obaseki’s agent, then my aspiration is dead on arrival.

“Which message does Obaseki have that will make me follow him? The schools that he did not build or the roads his government refused to tare? Or the primary health care centres his government refused to build for our people? Is that the message I want to send to the people? You can’t give what you do not have. As far as I am concerned, the PDP and Obaseki have not done well for our people and this is why I am coming out.”

According to the governorship aspirant, “those who are uncomfortable with my ambition have devised a means of trying to get me out of the race by labelling me Obaseki’s agent. It is very convenient for these individuals to look for any means to cast aspersions on me, my name and my character so as to create doubt in the minds of those who, otherwise, are in agreement with my aspiration.”

Akpata boasted that, “I have turned out to be an aspirant to beat in the Labour Party. I have approached this matter (politics) with a totally different mindset and strategy.”

Related Topics:Labour Party Olumide Akpata

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Politics

PDP Crisis: INEC Rejects Turaki-led NWC

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal processes.

This was as contained in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by INEC Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

The Commission stated that it could not act on demands to acknowledge or upload on its website the list of national officers said to have been elected at the National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.

According to INEC, its position was guided by subsisting court decisions and pending litigation relating to the leadership crisis within the PDP.

The electoral body further noted that it would be improper to recognise any factional officers while the matter remains before the courts.

Politics

Govt That Fails To Protect Its Citizens Has No Business Remaining In Office – Kwankwaso

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has accused the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of lacking the political will to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Kwankwaso spoke on Tuesday in Kano while unveiling 2,000 operatives of the Kano State Neighbourhood Security Network.

He urged President Tinubu to “rise to the occasion and truly act as the Commander-in-Chief” in addressing banditry and other security challenges.

According to him, Nigeria’s military “remains one of the most gallant in the world,” having served in international peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Liberia, and other conflict zones.

However, he said the armed forces are not being adequately supported to perform optimally.

“Today, many innocent Nigerians are being killed, while the perpetrators walk freely as if nothing happened. The government must apologise to Nigerians for its laxity in the fight against insecurity,” he said.

Kwankwaso, who once served as Minister of Defence, added: “When I was Defence Minister, I knew the capability of the Nigerian military. They are courageous and professional but need clear direction, support, and political will to do the needful.”

He stressed that Nigeria’s armed forces had historically ranked among the best globally and urged the government to equip them properly to change the current security situation.

Kwankwaso also said that if elected president in 2027, he would recruit over one million additional military personnel to strengthen national security.

“Any government that fails to protect the lives and property of its citizens has failed woefully and has no business remaining in office,” he declared.

He further called on the Federal Government to integrate community-based security initiatives, like the Kano Neighbourhood Security Network, into the national security system to boost morale and improve intelligence-driven operations against criminals.

Politics

ADC Announces Temporary Closure Of Secretariat

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress, ADC , says it has temporarily closed its National Secretariat as part of the end-of-year break.

A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said full operations are scheduled to resume in the New Year.

According to the statement, the secretariat will close on December 23, 2025, and reopen on January 5, 2026.

The party, however, said essential skeletal services will remain available throughout the period, while all other official activities at the National Secretariat will be suspended to allow staff and party officials observe the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“This is to inform the public that the African Democratic Congress National Secretariat will close for the year on 23rd December 2025 and will resume full operations on 5th January 2026.

“During this period, only skeletal services will be available, while all other official activities at the Secretariat will be temporarily suspended,” the statement said.

The party thanked its members, partners and supporters for their continued loyalty and cooperation throughout the year, noting that their support remains critical to the growth and stability of the party.

The ADC also said it is committed to its ideals and to democratic engagement as it prepares for activities in the coming year.