From Moshood Olawale Karim
A governorship hopeful on the platform of the Labour Party, Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata has refuted rumours making the round that he is the mastermind of the protest that rocked Labour Party secretariat on Sunday, fourth of February, 2024.
It would be recalled that angry youths had stormed the party secretariat in Benin City protesting against the national party chairman, Barrister Julius Abure who they accused of allegedly supporting some aspirants ahead of the party governorship primary billed to hold later this February.
But at a press conference on Tuesday in Benin City, Olumide told journalists his side of the story. According to him: “I call for this conference primarily for one reason with regard to the unfortunate incident that occurred at the Labour party State secretariat here in Benin City on Sunday, the fourth of February.
“Ordinarily, it is not within my purview to address the press on this matter because I am not a party executive. It is simply because as they say, when a lie is told and retold it may very well become the truth. Since on Sunday afternoon, I was in Abuja and was inundated with calls from all over the country, from friends, members of the labour party and my phone was ringing constantly concerning the incident. I was informed on that day some persons were at the labour party secretariat to protest over what exactly I did not know. I was told that some of them made their way into the secretariat.
“The reason why people called me is that my name has been linked to that protest. It has been mentioned in many quarters. That, I was behind the protest. The unfounded allegation is that I Olumide Akpata is the sponsor of that protest. I probably could have ignored this rumour. But considering where the rumour is coming from or emanated. I am compelled to respond to dispel this notion and say to you members of the press that this is an attempt to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it. I also called you here today because it has now become a disturbing trend, once there is any negative occurrence in the Labour party for one reason or the other it is attributed to my person.
“These allegations are coming from high quarters within my party and it gives me a course for concern. So, it is important that I say to you through your media to Nigerians that I have absolutely nothing to do with whatever that transpired at the Labour Party secretariat on the fourth of February.”
He said he is in the party to help reposition it for electoral value. He explained: “I have come to the Labour Party to help rebuild it. Those of you who have followed my antecedent or followed my activities since I joined, I am sure you will agree with me that all I have done so far is to build the Labour Party in Edo State and by extension Nigeria . That is what I will continue to do irrespective of my ambition or as an aspirant for the gubernatorial ticket of the Labour Party.”
“ I am here to build the party. I am not in the Labour Party as in the National Youth Service Corps. I am here on permanent posting and nobody no matter how highly placed can get me out of the Labour Party. I have chosen to be in Labour party and that is where I will remain. This attempt to cut me out of the race for the party ticket or force me out of the Labour Party as usual I am made of stellar stuff and I am able to deal with issues as they arise . I am still very much in the race and expect to emerge as the party flagbearer of the party and to fight on behalf of the party in the 2024 election. That is the reason I have asked you- journalists to come.”
In a statement released on Monday, Akpata while debunking the allegation said those accusing him of sponsoring protest at the State secretariat are those who are against his quest to be the party’s flagbearer.
“It has come to my attention that there was a protest on Sunday, Sunday, 4th February 2024, at the Labour Party State Secretariat in Benin City, Edo State, which allegedly turned violent. I want to clearly and unequivocally state that I have absolutely no knowledge of this protest, nor have I sanctioned or approved it in any way. The baseless rumours and insinuations that have been mischievously circulated that these protesters are carrying out my bidding are totally false, unfounded, and quite frankly ridiculous.
He also said the rumours “As a loyal, dedicated member of the Labour Party who has invested significant time, energy, and resources towards building and strengthening the Party across Edo State since I joined, it is both laughable and utterly despicable that I would be linked to any kind of violent protest at the Party’s secretariat. It is very likely that these bogus allegations and rumours are emanating from certain quarters within and even outside the Labour Party that are opposed to my emerging as the Labour Party’s gubernatorial flagbearer in the upcoming February 22, 2024, primary elections.
“In their desperation, they have resorted to underhanded tactics and smear campaigns to undermine my widespread credibility, acceptability, and support base within and outside the Party in Edo State and across the country. Amusingly, this is quite similar to an earlier campaign of calumny that sought to link me to acts of violence meted out against a former National Youth Leader of the Party in Benin City. This is yet another ludicrous attempt to unjustly give a dog a bad name in order to hang it.
“I want to categorically state that I, my campaign organisation, supporters, and well-wishers do not engage in, encourage, or sanction any kind of violence or unwholesome conduct. These puerile allegations are the products of malicious minds that are aimed at unfairly and irreparably tarnishing my hard-earned reputation, image, and rising popularity as a foremost gubernatorial aspirant of choice within the Labour Party in Edo State.
“The good and discerning people of Edo State and Nigerians at large know what I stand for. They know my antecedents and that my track record is one of integrity, maturity, and excellence. As such, these attempts to unjustly smear my character by linking me to acts I have no knowledge of or involvement in will certainly fail.
“As a lawyer of more than 30 years, I fully understand that peaceful protest is the fundamental right of every Nigerian citizen, guaranteed by the constitution and upheld by the courts of the land. Law-abiding citizens have a right to freely associate and to protest, provided that this is done peacefully and legally without threatening lives or property.
“However, if any person has acted unlawfully in the course of this alleged protest, I strongly urge that they be promptly reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for proper investigation and possible prosecution as provided by our laws.
“In conclusion, I once again reject all insinuations and rumours linking me or my supporters to this purported protest. I remain focused and steadfast in pursuit of my gubernatorial aspirations in a lawful and peaceful manner, upholding the principles of tolerance and justice.
“I have confidence in the discerning wisdom of members of the Labour Party, Edo people, and indeed Nigerians to reject all forms of violence, propaganda, and deceit. United in our diversity, we shall build a greater Edo State.”
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