Toba Owojaiye reporting
Benin City, Edo state
In a shocking turn of events, the Labour Party’s bid for the Edo governorship is facing turmoil as its candidate, Olumide Akpata, and his running mate, Mrs. Oluyinka Faith Alufokhai, find themselves mired in controversy. Accusations of submitting false information to the electoral body, INEC, and revealing allegiance to a foreign country have plunged their candidacy into jeopardy.
The revelations, gathered by Truth Live News, emerged from the scrutiny of the forms EC9 submitted to INEC, raising concerns about the integrity of the Labour Party’s ticket. Mrs. Alufokhai’s affidavit, sworn at the Epe Division of the High Court, indicates conflicting information regarding her date of birth and the year she obtained her First School Leaving Certificate, a clear violation of electoral regulations.
A member of the party executive council was overheard taunting Mrs. Alufokhai, stating, “How can anyone be talking about primary school certificate when they themselves have sworn that they are loyal to a foreign country? Olu should remove the log in his eye before he comes to harass me.”
Adding fuel to the fire, Akpata’s own affidavit revealed that he had taken up a second nationality in a foreign country and sworn an oath of total allegiance to Vanuatu’s President. This revelation has sparked further controversy and cast doubt on his commitment to serving the interests of the people of Edo State.
Despite attempts to downplay the discrepancies as mere mistakes, the gravity of the situation cannot be ignored. With the April 15, 2024 deadline looming for the replacement of candidates, the Labour Party finds itself in a precarious position. Section 33 of the Electoral Act prohibits the substitution of candidates except in cases of death or withdrawal, leaving little room for recourse.
Sources close to Akpata suggest that Mrs. Alufokhai’s selection as running mate was part of a larger ploy orchestrated by LP National Chairman Julius Abure to sabotage his candidacy. They point to her controversial past as Owan West Local Government Chairman, where she was sacked for allegations of fraud and anti-party activities, as evidence of her questionable suitability for the role.
Furthermore, Akpata’s emergence as the LP candidate amid accusations of heavily dollarized party primaries has raised doubts about the legitimacy of his candidacy. Calls for equity, fairness, and justice in power rotation to Edo Central have further fueled discontent among party members and aspirants.
In the face of mounting scrutiny and internal discord, the Labour Party’s prospects in the upcoming Edo governorship election appear increasingly uncertain. With the integrity of its candidates called into question and factionalism threatening to tear the party apart, the road to victory seems fraught with challenges.
As the election date draws nearer, the people of Edo State are left wondering whether the Labour Party can overcome these obstacles and present a united front capable of addressing their pressing needs and concerns. Only time will tell whether Akpata and Alufokhai can salvage their embattled campaign and regain the trust of the electorate.