By Andrew Momoh
As the Edo State 2024 Governorship Elections draw near, the Edo South Obidient Frontiers Coalition is raising significant concerns about the legitimacy of Olumide Akpata’s candidacy in Labour Party. Recent internal conflicts within the party have caused divisions and uncertainty among the public.
In a press release signed by Idemudia Sylvester, Lucky Osaghae, Oghide Izekor, Imafidon Eric, and Odiase Kennedy, the coalition highlighted their dissatisfaction with the Edo Labour Party primaries. The process has led to a fractured party and a disconnection from loyal supporters of the Obidient movement.
High-profile figures like Isaiah Osifo, a key member of the Obidient movement and former Labour Party candidate, have distanced themselves from the party, citing concerns over factionalism and allegations of financial influence in the candidate selection process, which they described as “Dollarised.”
The coalition also raised allegations of corruption against the National Chairman, Julius Abure, accusing him of orchestrating a controversial convention to secure his position and selling the governorship ticket to the highest bidder.
Read the full statement below
*A PRESS STATEMENT BY EDO SOUTH OBIDIENT FRONTIERS COALITION*
*RE: THE BIG QUESTION ON OLUMIDE AKPATA’S CANDIDACY*
As we prepare towards the 2024 Governorship Elections in Edo, we have followed political developments in the State starting from various party primaries to the emergence of all the candidates especially the Labour Party Candidate, Olumide Akpata.
As a group of people who were passionately committed and actively involved in the Obidient struggle for Peter Obi and the Labour Party in the last general elections, we are deeply concerned about the turn of events within the Obidient community and Labour Party as we head to Edo 2024 Governorship Election.
First, it is now visible to the blind and audible to the deaf that the way and manner the Edo LP Primaries was conducted has polarized the party, estranged many Obidients and destroyed public confidence in the party
Notable Obidients like Isaiah Osifo, who was our Labour Party Candidate in the 2020 elections and played a very prominent role during last year’s Obidient Movement for Peter Obi have been forced out of Labour Party to contest in another Party. The Labour Party in Edo State is heavily factionalized with the Youth Leader leading a faction. Every day, more and more Obidients are coming openly to denounce the Labour Party and its Governorship Candidate for its Dollarised primaries.
Our embattled National Chairman, Julius Abure still has allegations of corruption and embezzlement of campaign funds hanging like a millstone around his neck, yet went on to conduct a controversial Convention to reinstall himself as Chairman of the Party after conducting an auction where he sold the Edo Governorship ticket to the highest bidder in Dollars.
How did we get here?
Like our principal and Leader, Peter Obi would say, a person coming to clean a house does not break in through the window.
There are germane concerns regarding how Akpata smuggled himself through the window to grab the LP ticket against the consensus and prevailing mood in the State that power should shift to Edo Central Senatorial district in the interest of, Equity, Fairness, justice and unity of our dear State.
It is commonsensical that after Edo South has been Governor for 16 Years through Lucky Igbinedion and now Godwin Obaseki, it is unjust and unhealthy for the unity and progress of the State to insist that Olumide Akpata, whom we have come to understand is a relative to Obaseki, to succeed him in office.
The pillars upon which Obidient movement was built are the core values of Justice, Equity, Fairness, Inclusivity, Competence, Capacity, Character and Compassion.
Our principal Peter Obi, reiterated this much during his campaign visit to Edo. In his words “The foundation of development in a multi-ethnic and diverse society like Nigeria was unity, fairness, love, respect, and inclusiveness.” Edo State is a multi-ethnic and diverse State and those principles must of a necessity apply.
ANOTHER CRUCIAL QUESTION THEN IS, HOW DOES AKPATA INTEND TO MUSTER THE MORAL STANDING to ask Obidients to rally behind him amidst mounting allegations of a Dollar characterised and compromised LP primaries?
In addition, how do we tell our Obidient brothers in Edo Central and Edo North to support him against the general clamour for power shift in line with Equity, Fairness, Justice, Unity and progress of the State?
These are the issues and Questions begging for answers.
Signed:
Idemudia Sylvester
Ikpoba Okha
Lucky Osaghae
Egor
Oghide Izekor
Oredo
Imafidon Eric
Uhunmwode
Odiase Kennedy
Ovia South West