Former Labour Party governorship candidate in Edo State, Olumide Akpata, has revealed that his decision, alongside other party members, to defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was driven by the need to support former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi.
Akpata made the disclosure during an appearance on Politics Today, a current affairs programme on Channels Television, monitored on Wednesday. His comments come days after he was formally received into the ADC at a ceremony that reportedly referenced an alleged assassination attempt on Obi and other party chieftains.
Explaining the rationale behind the move, Akpata said he belonged to a group of political actors committed to what they describe as the vision of a better Nigeria. According to him, members of the group had previously operated within the Labour Party before deciding to chart a new course.
“I moved to the ADC because I belong to a group who believe that a better Nigeria is possible,” Akpata stated. “We were members of the Labour Party. On 31 December 2025, the leader of that group moved to the ADC.”
He explained that members of the Labour Party in Edo State deliberated extensively before concluding that their political aspirations would be better realised on the ADC platform. The objective, he said, was to strengthen Obi’s chances of securing a presidential ticket under the party.
“Those of us in the Edo State Labour Party sat down and decided that the journey to a better Nigeria that we think is possible would be best travelled on this platform to continue to support Peter Obi,” he said.
Akpata argued that remaining within the Labour Party could ultimately undermine their broader political goals. “We recognised that supporting him at the level of the Labour Party will come to nought if we are not able to help him achieve the objective of becoming the presidential candidate of the ADC,” he added.
The development signals a fresh realignment within opposition politics, as key figures reposition themselves ahead of future electoral contests.
