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  • Edo LP group criticises Akpata’s candidacy

    Edo LP group criticises Akpata’s candidacy

    A pressure unit within the Labour Party (LP) in Edo State, the Shine Your Eyes Group (SYEG), has criticised the candidacy of Olumide Akpata for the September 21 governorship election.

    It noted that Akpata, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), faced disqualification, in view of the  allegations contained in the suits at the Federal High Courts  in Abuja and Benin, which were filed by LP’s  governorship aspirant , Kenneth Imansuangbon, a billionaire philanthropist, who is also a lawyer.

    The group stated these yesterday in a  statement,  by its Chairman, Comrade Jonah Ifada, and Secretary, Osagie Omoregie.

    Olumide Akpata Governorship Campaign Council was inaugurated on Wednesday in Benin, and being headed by a cleric, Bishop Sam Omede, as the Director-General, with other sub-committees also constituted to work for the actualisation of Akpata’s governorship aspiration.

    Akpata, during the inauguration, stated that going by the array of personalities in the campaign council, LP was sure to emerge victorious on September 21, thereby succeeding Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) Governor Godwin Obaseki on November 12.

    SYEG, however, stated that members of Akpata’s campaign organisation should concern themselves with how the governorship candidate would defend himself at the FHCs in Abuja and Benin.

    The group insisted that Imansuangbon, popularity referred to as Rice Man, in view of his regular distribution of bags of free rice to Edo residents in the 18 local government areas, was the rightful politician that could restore LP on the path of victory during the forthcoming  governorship poll, while being commended for approaching the courts to rescue LP from imminent disgrace.

    Read Also: Kogi governorship dispute: Tribunal fixes Monday in Ajaka’s petiton against Ododo

    It said: “We challenge Olumide Akpata to show us his kindness to Edo people in the last 15 years. Imansuangbon has been there for the poor and shared over one million bags of rice, iPad and laptop computers to secondary and university students, and paid medical bills of the sick. Where was Akpata?

    “It is not the turn of Edo South Senatorial District to produce governor, as Godwin Obaseki, who will be completing his second term of eight years, is also from Edo South. PDP and All Progressives Congress (APC) considered fairness, equity and justice to zone their governorship candidacy to Edo Central, since Senator Adams Oshiomhole hails from Edo North Senatorial District.

    “Barr. Imansuangbon visited all the 192 wards of Edo State, and campaigned vigorously, but they shockingly allocated just seven votes to him during the governorship indirect primary election in Benin City. They are not even smart in their senseless allocation of votes.”

    SYEG also stated that Akpata and his lawyers should fully prepare to meet in court with Imansuangbon, whom it described as a grassroots politician.

  • Group suggests Imasuangbon as LP Gov candidate, Akpata running mate

    Group suggests Imasuangbon as LP Gov candidate, Akpata running mate

    Ahead of the governorship polls in Edo State, a group, Labour Party Forum for Justice, Equity and Fairness, has asked the leadership of the party to give the Edo gubernatorial ticket to Ken Imasuangbon and let Olumide Akpata serve as his running mate.

    Speaking on behalf of the group in a statement, Dr. Ben Osage said the call was in furtherance to a report in some national dailies on May 19 2024 titled: “Edo 2024: Labour moves to reconcile Akpata, Imansuangbon.”

    Osagies said the Labour Party stakeholders under the aegis of the Labour Party Forum For Justice, Equity and Fairness decided to put the records straight with the statement.

    The statement reads in part: “It is certain that the Labour Party and the teaming Obidients across Edo state know that the September 21, 2024 Edo State governorship election is ours to win. It is without an ounce of equivocation clear that our dear party, the Labour Party believes in equity, justice and fairness. And it is important to put before the world the position of the LP stakeholders on the event superintended by select members of the party on the 23rd of February, 2024 that was called the Edo State Labour Party Governorship Primaries.

    “Whilst commending the political commissions of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for efforts targeted at reconciling all interests, and reorganizing cum reshaping the LP for effective participation in the democratic space, we must hasten to state that no reconciliation will be sustainable and far-reaching if the pillars on which the party sustains is ignored or breached. Can there be genuine reconciliation where justice, equity and fairness is thrown overboard?

    “The singular threat to the success of our dear party in the forthcoming Edo State governorship election is the fact that the largely mercantile erstwhile LP leadership under Julius Abure torpedoed the values of equity, justice and fairness by allowing a candidate from Edo South to emerge as the candidate whereas the incumbent Governor of Edo State Godwin Obaseki is from Edo South. Also curious is the fact that in 24 years of the present democracy Edo South when Obaseki’s tenure expires in a few months would have been in power for 16 years, and Edo North for eight years, it is therefore only just, fair and rquitable to have someone from Edo Central as the governorship candidate of our dear party.

    “The two major political parties that we often vilify chose equity, justice and fairness over political correctness by ceding power to Edo Central knowing that inclusiveness ditto power rotation, power sharing and consensus building is necessary for development and progress. The PDP elected a candidate from Edo Central because equity, justice and fairness must count. 

    For the APC, the very sagacious and popular Pastor Ize-Iyamu withdrew from the race so someone from Edo Central could be the APC candidate, and when Comrade Oshiomole and his team thought otherwise by choosing a candidate from Edo South, it took the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who upon his return from a foreign trip instructed a rerun because of the call for justice, equity and fairness noting that Edo Central as it were must be given a chance to produce the next governor of the state. 

    “Indeed both the PDP and the APC have candidates from Edo Central, why should our dear LP that prides in justice, equity and fairness be different?”

    “As though karma were lurking in the corners of our hypocrisy, the candidate so chosen through Abure’s subterfuge has huge legitimacy issues and the validity of the ticket is suspect. The choice of deputy and the issues surrounding the replacement of the placeholder, as well as the fact that Barrister Olumide Akpata can no longer present a valid deputy governorship candidate as stipulated by INEC rules and regulations having run out of time, even as he runs from pillar to post to validate a mortally defective ticket, we must state that the way out of the present logjam is for the LP to ask Barrister Olumide Akpata to resign and serve as deputy governorship candidate to Barrister Kenneth Imasuangbon who is from Edo Central.

    Read Also: Edo dep gov, LP’s Akpata clash over thugs’ invasion of party secretariat

    “Conversely the only window open to our dear party, so we do not lose out completely and not have a valid governorship candidate in Edo state is the providential action ditto the case in Court instituted by Imasuangbon challenging the validity of the Olumide Akpata ticket on grounds of law, and also raising serious issues regarding the propriety of the ticket knowing that it works against justice, equity and fairness. Indeed had Barrister Imasuangbon not gone to court, the fate of the LP in the Edo governorship election would have been sealed as the party will have no valid candidate knowing that Olumide Akpata does not have a valid deputy governorship candidate.

    “As concerned stakeholders of the party, we plead with organized labour and the Obidients to prevail on Barrister Olumide Akpata to stepdown/resign and run as the deputy governorship candidate of our dear party, with Barrister Ken Imasuangbon as the governorship candidate, this is the way to prevent our dear LP from losing out completely because Barr. Olumide Akpata is not a valid candidate known to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Anything other than this clear pathway to victory will amount to the LP surreptitiously working for the PDP or the APC because without a valid ticket our struggle will pan for nothing.

    “We are committed to seeing that everything humanly and legitimately possible is done to ensure that the LP wins Edo state come September 21, 2024, and the very bright path to tread is to support a Ken Imasuangbon/Olumide Akpata ticket. We pray this happens.”

  • Edo dep gov, LP’s Akpata clash over thugs’ invasion of party secretariat

    Edo dep gov, LP’s Akpata clash over thugs’ invasion of party secretariat

    The deputy governor of Edo state, Godwin Omobayo, and the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Edo, Olumide Akpata, have clashed over last week’s invasion by thugs of the state secretariat of LP in Benin, the state capital.

    Akpata, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), directly accused the 37-year-old Edo deputy governor, who contested as LP’s House of Representatives candidate for the Akoko-Edo constituency in the 2023 general election but lost, of orchestrating the invasion of the party’s secretariat and the assault on innocent LP members and staff, allegedly in collusion with the suspended Youth Leader of the LP, Kenneth Omusi.

    The LP’s candidate in Edo further asserted that the desperate Omobayo’s actions were aimed at pleasing his boss, Godwin Obaseki, a prominent figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but declared that these efforts had failed.

    He pledged to utilize all relevant laws to prosecute those involved in the invasion of LP’s secretariat, including the politicians behind the malicious act.

    Akpata said: “I want to sound a note of warning to the opposition in Edo State that we will not tolerate any interference in the activities of our party (LP). We advise them to prepare to meet us in the field, rather than trying to use an underhand method to undermine the LP, a moving train. Anybody who decides to stand in the front of the train would do so at his peril.

    “You are aware that the current deputy governor of Edo State was taken from among our (LP’s) fold and appointed by the current governor, and he must have assured his paymaster that LP will be decimated and that the party does not exist in Edo. People pretend to be legends in their minds. Omobayo has no such relevance or consequence, not in Akoko-Edo LGA, and not in Edo State’s LP.

    “We have photographs and video evidence that Edo deputy governor and Omusi are working together. The sad incident in LP’s state secretariat in Benin City is part of their script to create the impression that there is chaos in our party, but we are organised and ready to win the governorship election. The only small fitness walk that we did from Ring Road to TV Road in Benin City was the cause of their actions against LP. This is just a preamble of our readiness.”

    Edo deputy governor, through his Chief Press Secretary, Victor Adefemi, however, accused Akpata of a malicious attempt to associate him with the crises rocking LP in the state, describing the allegations as unfounded.

    Omobayo added: “A renowned lawyer (Akpata), who is a former President of NBA, and vying for the seat of the number one citizen of Edo State, should show decorum when making public statements. This was not the case with Akpata, who threw caution to the wind.

    Read Also: LP candidate Akpata rejects replacement call

    “I do not take politics as a means of survival, but as a hobby to make all happy. We have to show that if we have power, we will not ostracise people. I am loyal to patriotism, to my people, to justice, equity, and good life. Any political party that does not follow these principles of life cannot have my loyalty.

    “My decision to accept the PDP’s genuine offer of deputy governorship was predicated on the sound principle of equity and vision for Edo people and the state.”

    Edo deputy governor also asked Akpata to excuse him from LP’s crises in Edo, stating that he had no place for violence and hatred in his style of politics.

  • Akpata berates Obaseki for inaugurating five of eight High Court judges

    Akpata berates Obaseki for inaugurating five of eight High Court judges

    The  governorship candidate of Labour Party (LP) in Edo State for the September 21, 2024 election, Olumide Akpata, has berated Edo Governor, Godwin Obaseki, over Friday’s inauguration at Government House, Benin of five of the eight judges of the state’s High Court, eleven months after the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC).

    Akpata, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), yesterday condemned Obaseki, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on his irrational decision.

    The newly-inaugurated judges are Justices Obayuwana Osarenren Mathias, Ehinon Anthony Okoh, Ovenseri Otamere, Bright Eraze Oniha, and Osayande Ikwuemosi Awawu, with Obaseki insisting that his action was in line with his commitments to strengthening the judiciary, in view of its roles in the democratic process.

    Read Also: A shining star in UNIBEN firmament

    The governorship candidate of LP in Edo said: “I condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the reprehensible conduct of Obaseki on the unconscionable delay in swearing in new judges for the Edo State High Court, eleven months after they were recommended by the NJC, as far back as June 2023.

    “The inexplicable decision to unilaterally select and swear in only five of the eight recommended judges was unacceptable.

    “For nearly a year, these eight legal professionals languished in an unconscionable career limbo, with those previously in private practice suffering immense financial hardship, through loss of earnings, as they could not practice law as private practitioners, having been recommended for appointment to the Bench. To subject any human being or public servant, let alone prospective guardians of justice, to such indignities, is totally unacceptable.

    “And now, by swearing in only five of the eight recommended judges, without any reason or explanation, Obaseki has further rubbed salt into the injury, riding roughshod over another arm of government, in clear violation of the principles of separation of powers, and in the process, leaving the other three judges and their families in a precarious dilemma.

    “As a senior member of the Bar and a former President of NBA, I condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the reprehensible conduct of Obaseki, who willfully failed and refused to perform his constitutional duty to swear in all the eight recommended judges for nearly a year, without any plausible justification. The fact that he has now proceeded to unilaterally select and swear in five of the recommended eight judges is simply a tragedy and a travesty.”

  • Police invite LP’s Akpata, Edo chair over violence at UNIBEN

    Police invite LP’s Akpata, Edo chair over violence at UNIBEN

    Edo State Police Command has invited the governorship candidate of Labour Party (LP) for the September 21, 2024 election, Olumide Akpata, and Edo Chairman of LP, Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi, over last Friday’s violence at the Ugbowo main campus of the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

    Command spokesman Chidi Nwabuzor, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said this yesterday in Benin.

    He said Akpata, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and Ogbaloi would interact with investigators at the political desk section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), at the command’s headquarters in Benin.

    Ogbaloi, who accompanied Akpata to his alma mater (UNIBEN) for his investiture by the university’s Senior Staff Club, confirmed the police’s invitation, but described the incident as Akpata’s private affair, which had nothing to do with the LP.

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    He said: “Akpata is our governorship candidate, but UNIBEN invited him, to honour him on a personal note. I did not sign surety of his safety there. I do not know why the police are also inviting me, and to come with Akpata.

    “The police ought to have done their background checks, as his being honoured by UNIBEN has nothing to do with our party. So, I do not know why I am being asked to come along with Akpata to the police command headquarters in Benin.”

    Edo chairman of LP, who noted that he was not in Benin when the police’s invitation was delivered, said he would honour the invitation.

    The management of UNIBEN condemned, in strong terms, the violence during the visit of Akpata to the institution, while it immediately set up a committee, headed by Prof. Frederick Ekhaise, to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the violence. It gave the committee one week to submit a report to the management.

    UNIBEN’s spokesperson, Dr. Benedicta Ehanire, declared that the violent incident was unacceptable.

    It will be recalled that Edo State Government, through the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, condemned the violence.

    Nehikhare said: “Edo State Government condemns, in the strongest terms, the violence associated with LP’s candidate, Mr. Akpata’s visit to UNIBEN.

    “The government warns, in the strongest terms, that it will not tolerate violence or this sort of irresponsible behaviour, which was associated with the visit of Mr. Akpata to the institution.”

  • Police invite Akpata, Edo LP chair over UNIBEN violence

    Police invite Akpata, Edo LP chair over UNIBEN violence

    The Edo state police command has summoned Olumide Akpata, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) for the September 21, 2024 election, and Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi, the Edo chairman of LP.

    The summon was not unconnected to the violence and gunshots that occurred last Friday at the Ugbowo Main Campus of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) on the Benin-Lagos Expressway.

    The state police public relations officer, Chidi Nwabuzor, a Superintendent of Police (SP), disclosed this on Thursday, April 18, in Benin.

    Nwabuzor stated that Akpata, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and Ogbaloi would be interacting with investigators in the political desk section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) at the command’s headquarters in Benin.

    Ogbaloi, who accompanied Akpata to his alma mater (UNIBEN) for his investiture by the university’s senior staff club, confirmed the police’s invitation on the matter but described the incident as Akpata’s private affair, which had nothing to do with the opposition party.

    He said: “Barr. Olumide Akpata is our governorship candidate, but UNIBEN invited him, to honour him on a personal note. I did not sign surety of his safety there. I do not know why the police are also inviting me, and to come with Barr. Olumide Akpata.

    “The police ought to have done their background checks, as his being honoured by UNIBEN had nothing to do with our party. So, I do not know why I am being asked to come along with Barr. Olumide Akpata to Edo police command headquarters in Benin.”

    Edo chairman of LP, who noted that he was not in Benin, when the police’s invitation letter was delivered, assured that he would honour the invitation.

    While Akpata was at UNIBEN’s senior staff club for his investiture, the peaceful event, however, turned violent, as the venue was invaded by some students of the Federal Government-owned university and persons, whom Akpata’s campaign organisation alleged were agents of Edo state government, to assassinate him.

    Akpata, an indigene of Benin Kingdom in Edo South Senatorial District, in a video on his Facebook wall, blamed his political enemies for the incident at UNIBEN.

    He said: “What was designed to be an apolitical and innocent homecoming at my alma mater, the great University of Benin when the Senior Staff Club of the university invited me for an interactive session, investiture as an honorary member of the club, and to also confer an award of excellence on me, took a dramatic and unfortunate turn.

    “Regrettably, those who are most threatened by my candidacy resorted to the tired old tactic and deployed thugs masquerading as students, alongside some students, to disrupt and mar a sacred university staff event.

    “In the process, one lecturer was injured, and he is now receiving treatment. While wishing him a speedy recovery, let me assure all the good people of Edo State and Nigerians in general that I am undeterred by the fiasco, and that I remain resolute in my determination to bring about the desired change in Edo State in September 2024.”

    The management of UNIBEN condemned, in strong terms, the violence during the visit of Akpata to the higher institution, while it immediately set up a committee, headed by Prof. Frederick Ekhaise, to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the violence, and given one week to submit a report to the management

    UNIBEN’s spokesperson, Dr Benedicta Ehanire, declared that the violent incident was unacceptable.

    It will be recalled that the Edo state government, through its Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, condemned the violence at UNIBEN.

    Nehikhare said: “The Edo State government condemns, in the strongest terms, the violence associated with LP’s candidate, Mr. Olumide Akpata’s visit to UNIBEN.

    Read Also: Edo 2024: Imansuangbon sues Akpata

    “The Edo State government warns, in the strongest terms, that it will not tolerate violence or this sort of irresponsible behaviour, which was associated with the visit of Mr Akpata to the institution.

    “Government has the primary responsibility to ensure the security of lives and property in the state, and will spare no effort to ensure that anyone who breaches the peace, no matter how highly placed, will face the full weight of the law.”

    The Edo commissioner for communication and orientation also called on all Edo residents to go about their lawful businesses without let, while assuring that relevant agencies were progressing with their investigations into the matter.

  • African Games:  Akpata tips Female Yellow Greens after  Women T20i show

    African Games:  Akpata tips Female Yellow Greens after  Women T20i show

    Despite  a second place  finish  at the  fifth edition of the NCF Women T20i Invitational Tournament in Lagos, President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) President,  Uyi Akpata, believes women’s national team, Female Yellow Greens , are equipped to do well at  the forthcoming African Games in Accra.

    On Sunday, the Tanzania Women’s Cricket Team  beat the  Sierra Leonean Women’s team by a whopping 92 runs in their last match of the event  at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval in Lagos to establish their supremacy and finally seal their victory in the 5th  NCF Women’s T20i Invitational Tournament.

    Akpata  acknowledged that the event this year took a different turn by having a higher-ranked team joining Nigeria and Rwanda in the event, but he believes the development made all the teams better.

     “The goal is to make the event one of the key pillars of cricket developments  for the female gender and it is fulfilling that purpose,” Akpata said. “Our teams will be at the All Africa Games and they will be going on the back of experiences and forms they have picked from this event.”

    Meanwhile, captain of the Tanzania’s  winning side, Neema Pius, said they prepared well for the event and were not surprised that the overall victory went in their favour despite the early slip that saw them lose their first match to Rwanda.

     “We knew we would do well in Nigeria and the event was also important to us because of the All-Africa Games that we are going to in Ghana.”

    Nigeria, the defending champion of the event, had to settle for a second place after they held down their arch-rival Rwanda to a 20-run victory in the last match of the event.

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    Both pride and jostle for the second place were at stake when the match started but, Nigeria’s batting had to quickly set a 110/8, with Lucky Piety contributing 28 runs (including four boundaries).

    Esther Sandy (17), Salome Sunday (11), and Victory Igbinedion (11) all made good contributions to the total.

    In the second inning, however, it was the bowling attack of the Nigerian women that won them the game. Christabel Chukwuonye took three wickets while Peculiar Agboya chucked off two on their way to limiting the Rwandan Women’s team to 90 in twenty overs.

  • Olumide Akpata: I’m not Obaseki’s mole, LP is party of choice in Edo

    Olumide Akpata: I’m not Obaseki’s mole, LP is party of choice in Edo

    A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata, has declared that he is not a mole, agent, place-holder, or surrogate of the “poorly-performing” Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Labour Party (LP) in Edo.

    He also insisted that the opposition LP was the party of choice in Edo, with many persons joining LP daily in the state and other parts of Nigeria, given its being people-centered.

    Akpata, an indigene of Benin Kingdom, who is a frontline governorship aspirant on the platform of LP in Edo, spoke yesterday in the state capital, at an interactive session with reporters, while giving an assurance that he would emerge victorious, both at the February 22 primary election and the September 21 governorship poll in the south-south state.

    He stated that he would not be a political harlot, stressing that if he did not get LP’s governorship ticket this year, he would remain and join other well-meaning members to build the party, but declared that LP in Edo must put its house in order, for the best person to emerge the standard bearer of the party.

    The governorship aspirant, who had practised Law for 30 years, stated that with his integrity, maturity, excellence and track record of impressive performance, especially as NBA’s president, his pedigree and antecedents, there was no way he could be the sponsor of last Sunday’s protest by some LP’s members at Edo secretariat of the party in Benin, and earlier attack on the National Youth Leader of LP, Anslem Eragbe, in the Edo state capital.

    He said: “I want to clearly and unequivocally state that I have absolutely no knowledge of the protest of Sunday, February 4, 2024, at LP’s Edo State secretariat in Benin, nor have I sanctioned or approved it in any way. The baseless rumours and insinuations that have been mischievously circulated that the protesters carried out my bidding are totally false, unfounded, and quite frankly ridiculous.

    “As a loyal and dedicated member of LP, who has invested significant time, energy, and resources towards building and strengthening the party across Edo State since I joined, it is both laughable and utterly despicable that I would be linked to any kind of violent protest at the party’s secretariat in Benin. These bogus allegations and rumours are likely emanating from certain quarters within and even outside the LP that are opposed to my emerging as the party’s governorship standard bearer in the February 22, 2024, primary election.

    “In their desperation, they have resorted to underhand tactics and smear campaigns to undermine my widespread credibility, acceptability, and support base within and outside the party in Edo State and across the country. This is yet another ludicrous attempt to unjustly give a dog a bad name, to hang it.

    “I want to categorically state that I, my campaign organisation, supporters, and well-wishers do not engage in, encourage, or sanction any kind of violence or unwholesome conduct. These puerile allegations are the products of malicious minds that are aimed at unfairly and irreparably tarnishing my hard-earned reputation, image, and rising popularity as a foremost governorship aspirant of choice within the LP in Edo State.”

    Akpata also declared that the attempts to unjustly smear his character, by linking him to acts that he had no knowledge of or was involved in, would certainly fail.

    He said: “As a lawyer of more than 30 years, I fully understand that peaceful protest is the fundamental right of every Nigerian citizen, guaranteed by the constitution and upheld by the courts of the land.

    “Law-abiding citizens of Nigeria have a right to freely associate and protest, provided that this is done peacefully and legally, without threatening lives or property.

    Read Also: Akpata commends Yellow Greens despite World Cup setback

    “If some persons have, however, acted unlawfully, in the course of the alleged protest, I strongly urge that they be promptly reported to the appropriate law-enforcement agencies for proper investigation and possible prosecution, as provided by our laws.

    “I reject all insinuations and rumours linking me or my supporters to the purported protest. I remain focused and steadfast in the pursuit of my governorship aspiration in a lawful and peaceful manner, upholding the principles of tolerance and justice.”

    The governorship aspirant also stated that he had confidence in the discerning wisdom of members of the LP, Edo people, and indeed Nigerians to reject all forms of violence, propaganda, and deceit while stressing that united in diversity, a greater Edo state would be built.

  • Ex-NBA president Akpata: I’ll ensure good governance, as Edo governor

    Ex-NBA president Akpata: I’ll ensure good governance, as Edo governor

    A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata, who is a governorship aspirant on the platform of Labour Party (LP) for the September 21, 2024 election in Edo State, has given an assurance that he will ensure good governance and prioritise the welfare of Edo residents, if elected.

    Akpata spoke at Edo state secretariat of LP in Benin, the state capital, during his formal declaration to vie for governorship next year.

    The immediate president of NBA, who is an indigene of Benin in Edo South Senatorial District, will be slugging it out on LP’s platform for the governorship ticket, with a philanthropic industrialist, Kenneth Imansuangbon, popularly referred to as Riceman, who hails from Ewohimi in Edo Central senatorial district, and recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other aspirants.

    Akpata noted that he decided to aspire on LP’s platform, because it was the only people-oriented party in Nigeria, and that his interest was for the people of Edo state.

    He stated that Edo residents had been taken out of the equation in governance and politics, while assuring that if given the opportunity to fly the flag of LP in next year’s election, he would change the narrative.

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    The ex-president of NBA said: “My interest is for the people of Edo State. What I find in politics and governance in Nigeria today is that the people have been taken out of the equation. Nobody cares about the people.

    “When I look around, the only party I find to be people oriented and to be interested in the lots of our people is LP. So, I have come to express my interest, and to carry the people along.”

    The lawyer turned politician also gave an assurance that he would take LP in Edo to greater heights, upon his emergence as the standard bearer of the opposition party.

    Edo Chairman of LP, Kelly Ogbaloi, who received Akpata, in company with other members of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the party, assured the former president of NBA and other governorship aspirants of a level-playing ground.

    Ogbaloi also expressed optimism that LP’s eventual governorship candidate in Edo would succeed PDP’s Governor Godwin Obaseki on November 12 next year, for Edo residents to enjoy the real dividends of democracy.

  • Akpata backs IGP, Lagos Police Command on Complaint Response Unit

    Akpata backs IGP, Lagos Police Command on Complaint Response Unit

    The immediate past President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata, has praised the newly commissioned Complaint Response Unit of the Lagos State Police Command.

    He expressed hope that it would promote civil/police accountability and be a robust platform for engagement between the public and the police.

    He also said he hoped the Unit would boost public confidence in the Police as the citizens would feel more secure and protected knowing that the Police are only a phone call away, ready and willing to listen and address issues and complaints.

    Read Also: Curbing rivalry among law enforcement agencies

    Akpata spoke at the commissioning of the Lagos State Police Command Complaint Response Unit in Lagos.

    “As you are aware, the current young generation of Nigerians want their voices heard on relevant national issues. I want to strongly believe that this Unit will breach the communication gap and fill the void which gave rise to the #Endsars struggle,” Akpata said.

    The former NBA President said he hoped the Complaint Response Unit would also serve as a platform for information and data gathering, which are crucial elements of policing especially concerning planning and preparation.

    He further hoped it would enable the Police management to receive complaints directly from members of the Public on erring personnel and take timely action.

    “Recalling, investigating and disciplining any officer found wanting, as well as providing feedback to members of the public on the internal measures taken to address their complaints and grievances”, would go a long way in promoting accountability and transparency, Akpata said.

    “Overall, I hope that the Unit will bring policing closer to the people and boost police/community collaboration in line with 21st-century innovation and global standards of policing,” he added.

    Akpata congratulated the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the Lagos State Police Command and the entire Police Force for the successful execution of the project, given that many ideas that are good on paper have been conceived but they never materialised due to one factor or the other.

    “Although I am not a police officer, and I am therefore a guest at today’s event, I can state categorically that I know the level of work that was put in to ensure the successful execution of this project.

    “Indeed, I recall that during my term as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, I was part of those who advocated for the creation of the Police Complaint Response Unit in line with Sections 131-133 of the Police Act 2020. To the best of my knowledge, the Lagos State Police Command has emerged, perhaps unsurprisingly, as the first State Police Command to establish its Complaint Response Unit,” he said.

    Akpata said he was aware that the IGP had issued a circular to all Police Commands in the country to immediately set up their respective Complaints Response Units in line with Sections 131-133 of the Police Act 2020.

    “When the request for assistance towards the set-up of the Police Complaint Response Unit was presented to me, even though I was no longer President of the Bar, I did not hesitate to respond positively to the request as a matter of patriotism and altruism. I am, therefore, delighted to witness the successful implementation of the ideals and agenda behind the creation of the Response Unit,” he said.

    He further commended the IGP for his solemn resolve in giving life to “this all-important Section of the Police Act which is aimed at promoting civil/ police accountability”.

    “I am ever ready and willing to assist the police in any way possible not just in ensuring the successful execution of this project to actualise its objectives but also in respect of similar progressive projects of the Police,” he said.