The candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the recently concluded Edo State Governorship election, Olumide Akpata, has said he won’t challenge the outcome of the election at the tribunal.
News360 Info reports that Akpata, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission announced that Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress won the Edo State Governorship election.
Okpebholo received 291,667 votes, defeating the PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes, and the Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata, who came in third with 22,763 votes.
Out of the 18 local government areas in the state, the APC won 10, while the PDP secured 8.
In a statement shared on his X handle, Akpata stated that his decision not to challenge the election is so as to avoid protracted legal battles that often serve to legitimise a fundamentally compromised process.
According to the LP candidate, his fight transcends the confines of a courtroom; it is a battle for the very soul of our democracy.
He wrote: “My decision not to approach the tribunal is not a capitulation to injustice but a resolute stand against a flawed system.
“I choose to rise above the quagmire of protracted legal battles that often serve to legitimise a fundamentally compromised process.
“Instead, I commit myself to the arduous but necessary task of systemic reform. Our fight transcends the confines of a courtroom; it is a battle for the very soul of our democracy.
“Read my full statement that addresses my decision not to approach the Edo State Gubernatorial Election Petition Tribunal.
“I delve into the rationale behind this crucial choice, confront circulating rumours head-on, outline my strategic vision for electoral reform, and chart the course for our collective political future.”
