Ex-NBA president Akpata speaks on reported dumping of Labour Party for APC

Mr Akpata, who joined the Labour Party in 2023 after serving as president of the NBA, is the latest politician to react to defection reports.

Labour Party’s candidate in the 2024 Edo State governorship election, Olumide Akpata, has denied rumours suggesting he has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement he shared on his social media on Tuesday, Mr Akpata, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) described the reports as “malicious, mischievous and utterly false”, insisting he remains firmly committed to the Labour Party.

The former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president said the speculation was designed to mislead the public. He noted that social media had again been deployed by the usual suspects as a breeding ground for falsehoods, giving wings to a story with no foundation in reality.

“I state without equivocation that I have neither contemplated, discussed, nor effected a defection to the APC and for the avoidance of doubt, I have no intention of ever joining the APC.

”I remain firmly and unapologetically committed to the Labour Party and the ideals and principles it represents. I will therefore continue to invest my time and resources to ensure that the Party remains on course,” he said.

He also expressed concern over the ease with which many people accepted and spread the falsehood, warning about the growing use of social media to peddle disinformation.

“I however, cannot help but wonder at the ease with which many were willing to believe and spread these vile rumours of my supposed defection.

“Given that we live in an era increasingly defined by deepfakes and relentless online rumour mongering, it is incumbent on us all to carry out minimum due diligence before joining in the fray.

“It is indeed regrettable that social media continues to be weaponised as a conduit for spreading falsehoods and manufacturing narratives that bear no resemblance to reality,” Mr Akpata said.

Recalling his public entry into the party in March 2023, where he attended his first ward meeting at Oredo Ward 6 and was formally introduced to members, the LP chieftain reiterated his loyalty to the party’s ideals and principles adding that ”nothing has changed for now.”

Mr Akpata noted that while his first instinct was to ignore the rumours, the volume of calls and messages he received from family, friends, and supporters compelled him to issue a formal response.

Mr Akpata urged his supporters and the public to disregard the defection claims and treat them “with the contempt they deserve.” He stressed that no matter how many times a lie is shared, “it will never become the truth.”

Defection rumours

Mr Akpata, who joined the Labour Party in 2023 after serving as president of the NBA, is the latest politician to fight off defection rumours.

He became the party’s candidate for the 2024 Edo governorship election after winning its primary in February of that year. He however lost to APC’s candidate, Monday Okpebholo.

With the political climate heating up ahead of the 2027 general elections, rumours of defections have become a recurring tactic in Nigeria’s politics.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Osun State governor Ademola Adeleke, and former Jigawa governor Sule Lamido have all recently denied reports of defection, reaffirming their commitment to their parties.

Anambra governor, Charles Soludo, has also dismissed speculation of a switch, insisting that he remains firmly rooted in APGA.