Edo Labour Party Candidate Olumide Akpata Dismisses Defection Rumours

Former Edo State governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Olumide Akpata, has strongly denied reports suggesting he is set to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speculation had circulated on social media in recent days that Akpata, who contested the 2024 Edo governorship election under the LP but lost to APC’s Governor Monday Okpebholo, was preparing to defect.

Akpata swiftly debunked the claims, describing them as “malicious, mischievous, and utterly false.”

Writing on his official X account, he stated:

“In the past 24 hours, a malicious, mischievous and utterly false rumour has been concocted in the dark alleys of social media, and unfortunately amplified by mischief-makers, alleging that I have abandoned the @NgLabour Party, the very platform on which I contested the 2024 Edo State gubernatorial election, to join the All Progressives Congress, APC.

This is not only false but laughable. I state without equivocation that I have neither contemplated, discussed, nor effected a defection to the APC and for the avoidance of doubt, I have no intention of ever joining the APC.”

His statement reaffirms his loyalty to the Labour Party despite the electoral defeat, while firmly shutting down speculation of a possible realignment with the APC.