former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), was the candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State.
Akpata came a distant third with 22,763 votes in the election which saw the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday Okpebholo, being declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Okpebholo, according to INEC, polled 291,667 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who got 247,274 votes.
But whereas Ighodalo, among other candidates who participated in the election, headed to the tribunal to challenge the outcome of the poll, Akpata took a different route.
On October 21, 2024, the day the statutory window for filing petitions at the gubernatorial election tribunal closed, then-LP governorship candidate, who had campaigned on the mantra, #EdoWillBeOk, issued a statement on why he was not going to contest the election result.
“My decision not to approach the tribunal is not a capitulation to injustice but a resolute stand against a flawed system”, he said.
“I choose to rise above the quagmire of protracted legal battles that sometimes serve to legitimise a fundamentally compromised process”
Akpata added: “The burden of proof placed on petitioners is not just high; it is often insurmountable”
Last Wednesday the tribunal delivered judgment in the petitions filed by Ighodalo and others who challenged the outcome of the September 21, 2024 poll, dismissing them while affirming Okpebholo’s victory.
Sunday Vanguard republishes below the Akpata October 21, 2024 statement, highlighting why he felt it amounted to a waste of time challenging the outcome of the September 21 election.
Today, as the statutory window for filing petitions at the gubernatorial election tribunal closes, we stand at a pivotal juncture in Edo State and Nigeria’s democratic journey.
After extensive deliberations with my legal team and key stakeholders, I have made the decision not to challenge the recent election results before the tribunal.
State of democracy
This choice, borne out of deep reflection and rigorous analysis, transcends mere political calculation. It is a statement on the state of our democracy and a clarion call for all who cherish the principles of free and fair elections.
As a legal practitioner with over three decades of experience, alongside my deputy, a distinguished Senior Advocate of Nigeria, we have scrutinised every facet of this election.
Our conclusion, reached after consulting with some of the nation’s finest legal minds, is not just about the outcome of a single election but about the very foundations of our democratic process.
The irregularities that marred this election – from brazen vote-buying to questionable collation procedures are symptomatic of a deeper malaise afflicting our electoral system.
These are not mere technical infractions but fundamental breaches of the social contract between the government and the governed.
My decision not to approach the tribunal is not a capitulation to injustice but a resolute stand against a flawed system. I choose to rise above the quagmire of protracted legal battles that sometimes serve to legitimise a fundamentally compromised process. Instead, I commit myself to the arduous but necessary task of systemic reform. Our fight transcends the confines of a courtroom; it is a battle for the very soul of our democracy.
The stark reality we face is this: Nigeria’s electoral adjudication framework has become a labyrinth where justice is often lost to technicalities.
The burden of proof placed on petitioners is not just high; it is often insurmountable.
Moreover, the custodianship of crucial electoral materials by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is itself a necessary party and defendant in election petitions, presents practical challenges in building a compelling case within stipulated timeframes.
Vision
These factors, combined with my vision for a more robust democratic framework, have informed my strategic decision to focus on grassroots mobilisation and advocacy for electoral reform.
As is my wont, let me also address head-on the swirling rumours and whispered insinuations that I have some sort of secret or backroom alliance with the All Progressives Congress (APC), and there are some that will suggest that our decision not to approach the tribunal stems from this clandestine agreement with the APC.
I want to be crystal clear: these allegations are not just false; they are a malicious attempt to tarnish my reputation and the principles I stand for.
These rumours are not just an attack on me but on the collective aspirations of every Edo citizen yearning for genuine change.
Facts
Let us examine the facts. The APC’s governance record in our State and indeed across the nation speaks for itself – a litany of unfulfilled promises. economic mismanagement, and a disturbing disregard for the rule of law.
To even contemplate an alliance with such an entity would be a betrayal of everything I have fought for and everything I represent.
I have spent decades building a reputation for integrity, both in my legal career and in public service.
My record is an open book from my time in private law practice to my tenure as President of the Nigerian Bar Association and to my consistent advocacy for transparency and good governance.
I have always stood on the side of the people, even when it was not politically expedient to do so.
I am acutely aware that we live in a low-trust society, where cynicism toward politicians has regrettably become the norm.
This cynicism is not without cause; too often, Nigerians have been let down by those they entrusted with leadership.
However, I come before you today as living proof that there are still individuals in our political landscape driven by principles rather than personal gain.
My decision not to contest the election results at the tribunal is not an indication of compromise; rather, it is a strategic move aimed at redirecting our energies toward systemic changes that our democracy desperately needs.
This moment calls for a paradigm shift in our approach to electoral reform. We cannot continue to operate within a system that incentivises manipulation and disenfranchisement. My energies will, for the immediate future, be directed towards:
• Spearheading Comprehensive Electoral Reform: Advocating for an overhaul of our electoral laws and processes that ensures transparency and accountability.
Building a Vibrant Opposition: Creating a formidable opposition in Edo State that holds government accountable – not just in word but in action.
• Investing in Civic Education: Cultivating an informed populace that understands its rights and is equipped to defend them.
• Forging Alliances Across Party Lines: Collaborating with civil society, international bodies, and other likeminded individuals to catalyse a democratic renaissance in Edo State and beyond.
To our steadfast supporters: your faith in our vision has not been misplaced. This is not a retreat but rather a redeployment of our resources and resolve. The battle for Edo State – and indeed Nigeria – continues on different fronts.
To all Edolites and Nigerians: remain vigilant, engaged, and hopeful. The true measure of our democracy lies not only in elections but also in our collective response to their shortcomings.
As we close this chapter, we open another one in which justice transcends courtrooms and permeates every facet of civic life. The Edo State and Nigeria we dream of are not merely possible; they are inevitable if we dare to re-imagine our democratic foundations.
The path ahead may be fraught with challenges, but it is illuminated by our indomitable spirit as Edo people. Together, we can transform this moment into a catalyst for political awakening that resonates far beyond our State borders. May posterity judge our actions today as pivotal in renewing our democratic ideals.
