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JUST IN: I Won’t Challenge Edo Election Outcome— Akpata

Ex-NBA President Olumide Akpata Joins Edo Governorship Race

Olumide Akpata, candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the recently held Edo state governorship election has said he won’t challenge the election result in court.

Gatekeepers News reports that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday Okpebholo the winner of election after polling the highest bite of 291,667 votes.

Okpebholo defeated his closest challenger, Asue Ighodalo of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who got 247,274 votes, while Akpata came third with 22,763 votes.

The LP candidate in a statement released on Saturday, said his decision not to challenge the election results “transcends mere political calculation.”

He said, “Today, as the statutory window for filing petitions at the gubernatorial election tribunal closes, we stand at a pivotal juncture in Edo State and Nigeria’s democratic journey.”

“After extensive deliberations with my legal team and key stakeholders, I have made the decision not to challenge the recent election results before the tribunal.”

“This choice, borne out of deep reflection and rigorous analysis, transcends mere political calculation.”

“It is a statement on the state of our democracy and a clarion call for all who cherish the principles of free and fair elections.”

“As a legal practitioner with over three decades of experience, alongside my deputy, a distinguished Senior Advocate of Nigeria, we have scrutinised every facet of this election.”

“Our conclusion, reached after consulting with some of the nation’s finest legal minds, is not just about the outcome of a single election but about the very foundations of our democratic process.”

Akpata alleged that the irregularities that marred the election such as vote-buying, and questionable collation procedures.

According to him; the irregularities are “symptomatic of a deeper malaise” afflicting the country’s electoral system.

He added, “These are not mere technical infractions but fundamental breaches of the social contract between the government and the governed.”

“My decision not to approach the tribunal is not a capitulation to injustice but a resolute stand against a flawed system.”

“I choose to rise above the quagmire of protracted legal battles that sometimes serve to legitimise a fundamentally compromised process.”

“Instead, I commit myself to the arduous but necessary task of systemic reform. Our fight transcends the confines of a courtroom; it is a battle for the very soul of our democracy.”

“The stark reality we face is this: Nigeria’s electoral adjudication framework has become a labyrinth where justice is often lost to technicalities.”

“The burden of proof placed on petitioners is not just high; it is often insurmountable. Moreover, the custodianship of crucial electoral materials by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is itself a necessary party and defendant in election petitions, presents practical challenges in building a compelling case within stipulated timeframes.”

“These factors, combined with my vision for a more robust democratic framework, have informed my strategic decision to focus on grassroots mobilisation and advocacy for electoral reform.”

The politician refuted claims that his choice not to challenge the election result in court suggests that he has a “secret or backroom alliance” with APC.

He said, “I want to be crystal clear: these allegations are not just false; they are a malicious attempt to tarnish my reputation and the principles I stand for. These rumours are not just an attack on me but on the collective aspirations of every Edo citizen yearning for genuine change.”

Akpata said he will dedicate his time to leading electoral reforms and building a vibrant opposition.

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