Peter Obi influenced my defection to ADC, says ex-Edo LP gov candidate Akpata

The governorship candidate of the Labour Party within the 2024 Edo State Governorship election, Olumide Akpata, on Tuesday stated he defected to the African Democratic Congress to group up with Peter Obi, a former LP candidate within the 2023 presidential election.

Talking at a ceremony to obtain him on the ADC secretariat in Benin, Akpata famous that he joined the occasion so as to add worth to it.

Akpata was obtained by the State Chairman of the ADC, Kennedy Odion; former governors of Edo State and leaders of the ADC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, former Senate Chief Whip, Roland Owie; Hon. Murphy Omoruyi, member representing Egor/Ikpoba-Okha federal constituency on the Home of Representatives, alongside Peter Obi, Labour Party presidential candidate within the 2023 election, amongst others.

Akpata, who was handed the occasion card by the state chairman, stated he took the choice to hitch the ADC after Obi joined the occasion on December 31, 2025, stressing that he joined the occasion so as to add worth.

Akpata, who expressed gratitude for the nice and cozy reception, thanked the ADC for the assumption in new Nigeria, and likewise the Obidient Motion for his or her steadfastness.

In his remarks, Obi expressed his dedication to a brand new Nigeria, including, “our dedication to a brand new Nigeria is complete although they’re doing the whole lot doable to cease us.”

He added, “We should construct a nation that works for all not a number of. This nation is presently working for a number of, it shouldn’t be so, we’re all Nigerians.

“As a matter of reality, we should transfer this nation from the standing of consumption to manufacturing.”

Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the State Party Chairman, Odion, who thanked Obi for his steadfastness, stated the occasion is dedicated to constructing a brand new Nigeria.

In his remarks, Oyegun stated, “Our shares are rising on a regular basis not simply in quantity however in high quality. Nigeria is a nation that must be saved.”

On his half, Osunbor, expressed optimism that the Oyegun-led coalition would lead ADC to victory in 2027.

He added, “Oyegun led the coalition in 2013 that led APC to victory in 2015, and he’s main the coalition now beneath ADC to steer us to victory in 2027. He’s somebody that has all the time led coalition to victory. We’re certain he’s going to steer this coalition to victory.”

Osunbor, who accused the ruling occasion of the plan to rig the 2027 elections, stated members of the APC faux to be democrats, however in the actual sense they aren’t.

He stated, “There are individuals who faux to be democrat however they’ve uncovered themselves to Nigerians that they’re anti-democracy. An instance of that was their refusal to approve real-time transmission of election outcomes.

“The main mistake that was made within the 2023 election is that election outcomes weren’t transmitted electronically real-time within the presidential election. So, we anticipated that the Nationwide Meeting would approve real-time necessary transmission of election outcomes however they refused.

“We’re not going to permit the rigging they’re planning. It is just those that intend to rig which are against real-time transmission of election outcomes.

“They know that they’ve been rejected. They know that they can not win a free and honest election following the foundations, however Nigeria should be alert.”