Gov Otti Pledges Support for Apkata, LP Guber Candidate in Edo, Reconcile Aggrieved Aspirants

By Reporter

The Labour Party candidate in Edo State, Mr. Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata, today got the necessary booster when Seven of the aspirants that contested with him, all agreed to work together in their bid to takeover Edo State government house.

The agreement was made possible by the intervention of Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State, and the National Working Committee (NWC), of the party.

Edo State LP candidate, Olumide Akpata

The LP Governor convened the meeting which took place at the Emeka Omeruo at the Government Lodge in Umuahia yesterday, had aggrieved aspirants with Akpata and other stakeholders,

Also present at the crucial meeting were the National Chairman of Labour Party, Julius Abure, who led other NWC members; Edo State Chairman of the party, Kelly Ogbaloi; and his Abia State counterpart, Ceekay Igara.

Governor of Otti with Abure, Akpata with other aspirants at the meeting

Others were the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ikechukwu Emetu; member representing Oredo federal constituency, Edo State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Esosa Iyawe; Deputy Speaker, Abia House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Okezie Nmeregi; seven out of eight governorship aspirants in the February 23 Edo governorship primary election; among others.

Governor Otti told newsmen that reconciliation had become necessary after the primary in Edo State.

”They came and we discussed the affairs of the party after last week’s primaries.

“We sat together, took a report of what happened. We looked at all the issues so we could have reconciliation ahead of the September election.

”Reconciliation is very vital in every contest because people after an election get offended, and you need to bring them together. A lot of progress has been made.”

Otti expressed optimism that LP will win the September 21, 2024 election in Edo State and also pledged to support the party and its candidate.

“Our candidate has the capacity to run his campaigns but I’m ready to offer any legitimate support. I will continue to give morale support as I’m already doing”, Otti promised.

Also, the LP National Chairman, Julius Abure, described the reconciliatory meeting as very successful, and declared that the party stakeholders were more united and formidable to face the forthcoming governorship poll.

“We have brought all the aspirants together with the candidate in order to have a formidable force before going to the campaign.

“All the grey areas have been sorted out. We are coming out stronger and more united.

“We are going to face the campaign with equal minds and as a united house. And I’m sure we will do very well. We are prepared for this election.”

The LP candidate, on the other hand, expressed joy that all the aspirants, had resolved to support his ambition. While commending them for their sportsmanship, he promised not to disappoint the people, just as he expressed confidence become the elected governor of Edo State.

“We are deliberate and intensional in what we do. We have formidable opponents and we are not underestimating them. We sat down and marshaled out our strategies.

“We are a people-centric party; the people are dissatisfied with the state of affairs, and LP is the last hope of people.

“We are prepared to protect our votes. We have the befit of experience, and we know where the pitfalls are. This time, we are fully on ground.”

The Edo LP Chairman, Ogbaloi, expressed joy that the party had united to work for victory at the September poll.

Ogbalo thanked the aspirants for their sportsmanship and decision to embrace peace and party’s interest.

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