Guber Race: Campaign Tour Experiences Shape LP Manifesto- Akpata

From Moshood Karim

Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate for the upcoming September 21 governorship election in Edo State, has revealed that his campaign experiences have significantly influenced the creation of his manifesto.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Akpata highlighted the dire need for infrastructural development across the State, contrary to the perception of even development.

During the campaign tour, Akpata encountered alarming levels of underdevelopment, particularly in the hinterlands of some local governments. These experiences, he stated, guided the formulation of his manifesto, which he has titled “My Pact with the People of Edo State.”

“The Edo State is rich in terms of monthly allocations, which are in billions, and yet it carries a huge debt of almost N600 billion. Unfortunately, these financial resources have not been reflected in the development of the state,” Akpata remarked.

He described the state of affairs in Edo as a “desperate situation in need of serious intervention,” and vowed to turn things around to improve the living conditions of the people.

Akpata expressed concern over the lack of basic social amenities in several communities, citing Urhonigbe and Eme-Ora, which have been without electricity for 10 and four years, respectively.

“The situation we saw is a nightmare, but this is the daily reality for the people of Edo. Farmers are unable to bring their produce to market. This issue isn’t limited to the hinterlands; even the roads leading to Benin City, the state capital, are in a terrible state, with flooding everywhere,” he said.

He attributed the poor state of affairs in Edo to the misgovernance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who have ruled the State for the past 25 years.

Akpata further criticised the government’s claims of establishing health centers in every ward, stating that his visits revealed a shortfall.
“We have seen schools that are in such decrepit conditions,” he added.

Akpata also condemned the violence that has marred some campaign events, recalling how his team became victims of violence at Uhumora, the home of the Edo Speaker.

“Violence of any type, I abhor. These guys are not for the people; they are for themselves. If it were about the people, they wouldn’t be killing themselves,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party is expected in Benin City, the Edo State capital, on Tuesday to rally support for Akpata.

The governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, is also expected in the State to boost the party’s chances in the final days of the campaign.