The Labour Party governorship candidate in Edo State, Olumide Akpata, has dismissed rumors of his withdrawal from the upcoming election scheduled for Saturday, Okay.ng reports.
Akpata, who is a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, refuted claims circulating on social media that he had stepped down from the race.
In a statement released on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday evening, Akpata made it clear that he remains fully committed to his candidacy.
“Let me be unequivocally clear: I am still in the race,” Akpata said. “The notion that I would step down on the eve of the election, after the overwhelming support received from the good people of our State, borders on delusion.”
He further emphasized his confidence in the support he has garnered from the people of Edo State and reiterated his determination to continue.
“I am in this race because that is what Edo needs. I refuse any attempt by anyone to convince me otherwise. Nothing has changed, and I encourage voters in Edo State to go to the polls tomorrow.”
The denial comes after a statement purportedly attributed to Akpata circulated on social media, claiming that he had withdrawn from the contest. Akpata has firmly rejected this as false.
Seventeen candidates, including Akpata, are vying to replace Governor Godwin Obaseki, who will step down after completing his second term in office on 12 November.
