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Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has expressed confidence in the capacity of Labour Party (LP) and its governorship candidate in Edo State, Barr. Olumide Akpata, to win the Edo gubernatorial election holding in September.
Governor Otti spoke Thursday morning at the end of a marathon meeting he convened in Umuahia, capital of Abia, on Wednesday, and attended by members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and all the aspirants, to review the party’s governorship primary election, held in Benin, last Friday, February 23, 2024.
The Governor said the meeting was necessary as it provided an opportunity for all those who may feel aggrieved by the outcome of the primary election, especially the aspirants, to be heard, while their grievances would also be addressed, as the party prepare for the governorship election.
Speaking to journalists in Umuahia, after the meeting, which lasted several hours, Governor Otti emphasised the importance of reconciliation, noting that despite initial tensions, significant progress was made.
“We discussed the affairs of the party, and I am sure you are aware that primaries held last week in Edo, as both the candidate and the aspirants are here.
“We sat down together and took a report of what happened and looked at all the issues so that we could have some reconciliation ready for the election that would happen later in the year.
“Reconciliation is very vital; people sometimes after an election get offended but I can assure you that there is a lot of progress.
“Labour Party is a strong political party in Edo state and we will do well,” Otti said.
The National Chairman of Labour Party, Mr. Julius Abure, restated the need for unity within the party and added that reconciling aspirants and the gubernatorial candidate, was crucial for the party’s success at the polls.
Abure, who noted the Labour Party’s track record of effective participation in previous elections, expressed optimism about the LP’s prospects in the Edo elections, assuring that all internal and external conflicts had been addressed.
“We have just concluded our party primaries in Edo and the fall out of it is what you see us deal with today.
“Today, under the leadership of the governor of Abia State, we are able to bring most of the aspirants together with the candidate in order to have a formidable force that will go into the campaign.
“I am sure all the gray areas that the aspirants were having have been sorted out today and I am sure that we are coming out more united, and stronger. We’ll be able to face the challenges in Edo.
“I can assure you that we are going to face the campaign in Edo with equal mind, with a united house and I am sure that we will do very well.
“Majority of the aspirants were here. Out of nine aspirants, one withdrew and we have seven, who were here. So, for us, it is over ninety per cent attendance,” he said.
The Labour Party Governorship candidate in Edo State, Barr. Olumide Akpata, said that the aspirants were in Abia to meet with the Governor of Abia State and leader of Labour Party in Nigeria.
He described the difference Governor Otti is making in Abia State as a unique selling point for the Labour Party, as it is a people-centric party and the last hope of Nigeria. He expressed optimism that he would emerge victorious in the forthcoming Governorship election in Edo State.
Akpata affirmed that the reconciliation process was successful, and added that the former aspirants have pledged to support him and work together in unity for the overall success of the party in the upcoming polls.
Speaking on behalf of the LP gubernatorial aspirants, Dr Blessing Akele, said that the meeting was convened to understand and settle the grievances of aspirants and foster unity ahead of the September elections.
Akele noted that in view of the upcoming election in September, being united would play an essential role for the party to win the election. She expressed satisfaction with the outcome, saying aspirants were in agreement to work with the candidate for the party’s success.
Other dignitaries at the event were the National Secretary, Alhaji Farouk Umar; National Organising Secretary, Chief Clement Ojukwu; National Woman Leader, Madam Dudu Manuga; Abia State LP Chairman, Chief Ceekey Igara; Valentine Ozigbo, a chieftain of Labour Party; among others.
