Edo gov’ship: Obi headlines Akpata’s first campaign in Benin

The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, Tuesday led the first campaign for the party’s governorship candidate, Barrister Olumide Akpata, in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

Obi joined Akpata and party supporters in canvassing for votes ahead of the state’s September 21 governorship election.

Speaking at various campaign points during a roadshow, Obi urged eligible voters in Edo to turn out en masse and support the party and its candidate.

He added that Olumide Akpata would bring the much-needed change to move Edo forward.

Earlier, Akpata described the upcoming election as “freedom day” for Edo people, urging them to vote for the Labour Party.

“There’s been too much quarrel. Everyone should do their homework. Today’s unity turnout was massive, and we are confident of victory,” Akpata remarked.

He emphasised that his aim in joining the Labour Party was not to resolve disputes but to secure victory on September 21.

“Labour Party is the winning party, and we are not here to fight. We are here to win the election,” he concluded.

Leadership crisis stalled campaign, factional leaders optimistic of victory

With barely two weeks to the Edo State governorship election, the Labour Party had until yesterday remained largely invisible, as its rivals, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), campaign vigorously across the state.

Out of the 17 political parties contesting, analysts believe that only the APC, PDP, and LP have significant chances of success. However, the LP’s presence in the campaign had been notably absent, especially in comparison to its counterparts.

Internal divisions within the party’s state chapter have exacerbated the situation. One faction is loyal to embattled National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, with former Edo House of Assembly Speaker, Elizabeth Ativie, serving as its chair. Meanwhile, another faction, led by Barrister Kelly Ogbaloi, includes the LP governorship candidate, Akpata.

The internal crisis dates back to May, when the party’s state executive, under Ogbaloi’s leadership, ratified the suspension of National Chairman Abure. In response, Abure, via the National Working Committee, dissolved the Ogbaloi-led executive and replaced it with a caretaker committee headed by Ativie.

At the national level, the LP is also embroiled in controversy. Abure’s position as chairman is in doubt as a caretaker committee led by Mrs. Nnenadi Usman has taken over. The caretaker committee was put together last week by the party’s sole governor, Dr. Alex Otti of Abia State, and Obi as tensions over Abure’s chairmanship continued to grow.

Political observers are thus concerned that these internal conflicts, both at the state and national levels, may significantly weaken the LP’s chances in the upcoming election.

Despite this, Kelly Ogbaloi, the embattled state chairman, insists that the LP has been actively campaigning across Edo. “We’ve covered all 18 local government areas twice, presenting our candidate and party programme,” Ogbaloi said. “Every party has its own strategy, and ours doesn’t require copying others. The electorate already knows that the Labour Party is the right choice for this election.”

Ogbaloi also dismissed concerns that the crisis at the national level would affect the LP’s chances in Edo. “The election is happening in Edo, not at the national level. The people voting are in this state, and they recognise that we have a strong candidate with the qualifications to lead,” he said confidently.

Elizabeth Ativie, caretaker chairman and leader of the other faction, also remains confident in the LP’s prospects.

According to her, the party’s chances are “bright,” despite their lack of presence on social media. “We’ve been working hard behind the scenes. We don’t make as much noise as the other parties, but we’re well prepared,” she said. “The public may think we aren’t campaigning because we’re not visible online, but we are fully on the ground and have done significant work.”

LP Publicity Secretary, Sam Uroupa reinforced this optimism, stating that the party had already completed significant groundwork.

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