The Labour Party’s governorship candidate in the 2024 Edo State election, Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata, has firmly refuted claims circulating on social media that he has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a public statement issued on 16 September 2025, Akpata described the reports as “a malicious, mischievous and utterly false rumour concocted in the dark alleys of social media,” stressing that they are not only baseless but also “laughable.”
The former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president lamented that social media continues to be used as a “breeding ground for falsehoods,” accusing mischief-makers of deliberately seeking to mislead the public. He noted that although his initial instinct was to ignore the rumours, the sheer volume of calls and messages from family, friends, and concerned supporters made it necessary to set the record straight.
“I state without equivocation that I have neither contemplated, discussed, nor effected a defection to the APC and, for the avoidance of doubt, I have no intention of ever joining the APC. I remain firmly and unapologetically committed to the Labour Party and the ideals and principles it represents,” Akpata declared.
He further criticised the ease with which many people believed and spread the claims, warning that in an era dominated by deepfakes and relentless online rumour mongering, citizens must exercise due diligence before lending credibility to unverified reports.
Reaffirming his political loyalty, Akpata recalled his decision to openly join the Labour Party in March 2023, when he attended his first ward meeting at the Oredo Ward 6 Secretariat, where he was formally introduced to party members and issued his membership card. “Nothing has changed for now,” he stressed.
Akpata urged his supporters, friends, and the general public to disregard the unfounded rumours and treat them with “the contempt they deserve.” He added:
“No matter how many times a lie is shared, it will never become the truth.”
The Labour Party candidate assured that he will continue to invest his time and resources in strengthening the party and ensuring it remains focused on its vision for Edo State.
