December 24, (THEWILL) – The Labour Party (LP) in Edo State is currently repositioning itself to clinch the 2024 Governorship Election in the state and produce Governor Godwin Obaseki’s successor.
The party has commenced a capacity building programme for wards and local government executives to strengthen and reposition the party for success.
The National Chairman of the party, M. Julius Abure, at the training, expressed optimism that the Labour Party could rescue Edo State and the entire country from bad governance.
Abure said, “The intention of the programme is to build the capacity of our local government and ward executives in terms of what they are expected to do during an election.
”It is intended to develop and build their capacity for the 2024 governorship election in Edo State.
“Labour party believes that elections are won and lost at the ward or local government level, depending on the action and inaction of members.
“This also underscores the importance of building the capacity of our local government and ward officers being trained in the trainer-workshop; they are supposed to replicate the training in their various local government and wards. ”
LP said it believes strongly that it is the only party that has the answer to the socio-economic challenges of the state and the nation.
Abure said that the high level of infrastructural decay, poverty, hunger and unemployment was unimaginable and the Labour Party had the ideology to change the trajectory and reposition the country for greatness.
“Therefore, Edo is looking up to our party to do the needful by giving them the right candidate that can defend their votes.
“Our main objective today in Edo is how to win the election with the right candidate that has the capacity to win.”
Abure noted that the same training would also be held in the other senatorial districts as a way of focusing the party for victory in 2024.
Meanwhile several aspirants have emerged in the party as preparation for the election is in top gear.
About 28 persons have shown interest in vying under the party’s platform. But the major contenders are Ken Imasuagbon Esq, Olumide Akpata Esq, Dorry Okogie Esq and Mr Serguis Ogun.
Kenneth Imasuagbon has aspired four times under different political parties and not too long ago, he defected to the LP. Apart from coming from Edo Central Senatorial District and having the ability to spend money during party primaries, he has a distant chance of securing the party’s governorship ticket.
Imasuagbon has vowed to defend Labour Party’s votes, if given the party’s governorship ticket. He noted that the party is well positioned to occupy the Edo seat of power, come 2024, with the right candidate.
He boasted that he was the only aspirant among many seeking to emerge as the candidate of the party on account of his experience and widespread popularity.
“When I visited your (LP state chairman, Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi) local government headquarters (Afuze) it took me three hours to get to Ewohinmi from there. The state of the roads in that part of the state is very deplorable and unacceptable.
“If you elect me as the candidate of this great party, I will be in the forefront to defend your votes. I will fight to the last drop of my blood to ensure that our votes count. Enough is enough,” he said.
Receiving the governorship hopeful and his entourage, Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi, the Chairman of the LP in the state, promised that a level playing ground will be made available for the party’s governorship primaries.
Another aspirant, Mr Dorry Okogie, has the backing of some of the youths within the party, but how that will help him in securing the party ticket is yet to be seen.
Mr Sergius Ogun is a two-term member of the House of Representatives on the platform of the PDP from Edo Central Senatorial District and formally joined in support of his re-election.
Olumide Akpata, the immediate past president of the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA) is very strong in the race.
Akpata, who was born on October 7, 1972, is a legal practitioner. He was a senior partner and Head of the Corporate and Commercial Practice Group at Templars law firm in Nigeria until his resignation on August 31, 2023 to enable him to pursue partisan politics.
He became the first non-Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 28 years to be elected president of the Nigeria Bar Association in July 2020.
Akpata began his legal practice in Delta State under the supervision of Dr. Mudiaga Odie, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, OFR, who was one of the most seasoned litigators of his time.
In 1996, Akpata relocated to Lagos and teamed up with his cousin, Oghogho Akpata, who had just set up the law firm, Templars, the previous year. He joined in the formation of Templars at the age of 23 and grew the firm into what it is today, as one of the largest law firms in Nigeria with a workforce of about 100 lawyers, including two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, both of whom practice proficiently in diverse areas of Nigerian law.
He has participated in some major groundbreaking transactions that have shaped commercial law practice in Nigeria and indeed, the Nigerian economy.
August 1st, 2023 marked a pivotal moment for Akpata as he formally entered the political arena, solidifying his commitment to public service by joining the ranks of the Labour Party. This move not only underscores his dedication to civic engagement but also signals a new chapter in his journey towards contributing to the betterment of society.
As a member of the Labour Party, Akpata brings his unique perspective and ideas to the forefront, poised to play a role in shaping policy decisions and advocating issues that align with the party’s values. His entrance in the political landscape highlights the growing diversity of voices within the party, fostering a broader and more inclusive dialogue on matters of national importance. He has indicated his interest in contesting the September 2024 governorship election in Edo State.
