Akpata Shuts Down Defection Rumours to APC

The former governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Edo State, Olumide Akpata, has firmly put an end to persistent rumors of his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). In a recent statement, Akpata denied the allegations, reiterating his commitment to the Labour Party and his long-held stance against Nigeria’s two dominant political parties.

Rumors about his political future have been circulating since the conclusion of the Edo State gubernatorial election, which saw the Labour Party candidate lose to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). However, in a move to quell the speculation, Akpata stated that his political principles remain unchanged.

Throughout his campaign, Akpata had consistently distanced himself from both the APC and the PDP, which he famously described as “two fingers of a leprous hand.” His strong rhetoric against what he calls “the establishment” has resonated with his supporters and has been a central part of his political identity. His recent statement serves to reinforce that position and assures his followers that he has no intention of abandoning the party that gave him his platform.

The denial follows a previous fact-check that debunked a similar rumor, which falsely claimed that he had withdrawn from the governorship race on the eve of the election. Akpata has used his public platform to combat misinformation and remain transparent with his supporters.