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Labour Party governorship aspirants in Edo State have resolved to support the party’s candidate in the September 21 governorship election, Olumide Akpata, following the intervention of Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State, and the National Working Committee (NWC), of the party.
Otti, the only LP Governor in the country convened a meeting of all the aggrieved aspirants with Akpata and other stakeholders, at the Emeka Omeruo Government Lodge Umuahia on Wednesday night, where they were reconciled and agreed to support the party’s flag bearer.
In attendance at the crucial meeting that began around 7:00 pm and lasted till 11:30 pm, were the National Chairman of Labour Party, Julius Abure, who led other NWC members; Edo State Chairman of the party, Kelly Ogbaloi; and his Abia State counterpart, Ceekay Igara.
Others were the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ikechukwu Emetu; member representing Oredo federal constituency, Edo State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Esosa Iyawe; Deputy Speaker, Abia House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Okezie Nmeregi; seven out of eight governorship aspirants in the February 23 Edo governorship primary election; among others.
Fielding questions from newsmen who were laying siege at the venue of the meeting, Gov. Otti said reconciliation was very vital after every contest, adding that the meeting was very successful.
He said that stakeholders were briefed on what transpired during the primaries, and issues were sorted out in the interest of the party.
” They came and we discussed the affairs of the party after last week’s primaries. We sat together, took a report of what happened. We looked at all the issues so we could have reconciliation ahead of the September election.
” Reconciliation is very vital in every contest because people after an election get offended, and you need to bring them together. A lot of progress has been made.”
Gov. Otti who predicted victory for LP in the forthcoming election, promised to support the party and its candidate.
” Our candidate has the capacity to run his campaigns but I’m ready to offer any legitimate support. I will continue to give morale support as I’m already doing”, Otti promised.
Speaking also, the LP National Chairman, Abure, who described the reconciliatory meeting as very successful, declared that the party stakeholders were more united and formidable to face the forthcoming governorship poll.
” We have brought all the aspirants together with the candidate in order to have a formidable force before going to the campaign.
” All the grey areas have been sorted out. We are coming out stronger and more united. We are going to face the campaign with equal minds and as a united house. And I’m sure we will do very well. We are prepared for this election.”
Speaking also with newsmen, the LP candidate, Akpata, expressed joy that all the aspirants, had resolved to support his ambition.
He commended them for their sportsmanship and promised not to disappoint the people, as he expressed optimism that he would emerge victorious at the poll.
Akpata acknowledged that he would be facing formidable opposition at the election but said that the party had the experience and preparedness to triumph and defend its victory.
” We are deliberate and intentional in what we do. We have formidable opponents and we are not underestimating them. We sat down and marshaled out out strategies”.
. The former National Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, added that “the meeting was worthwhile and I’m excited”.
Responding to a question on what his selling points will be, Akpata said:” We are a people- centric party; the people are dissatisfied with the state of affairs, and LP is the last hope of people.”
He said that the giant strides of Gov. Otti in all sectors of the Abia economy were enough testimony that Labour Party is the party to take the country out of the woods.
Asked how prepared LP was to protect its votes, he said:” We are prepared to protect our votes. We have the befit of experience, and we know where the pitfalls are. This time, we are fully on ground”, he thundered.
One of the aspirants, Dr Blessing Akele, also described the meeting as very successful, affirming that the aggrieved aspirants had resolved to rally behind the party’s candidate.
She said that their differences had been resolved and all parties agreed to work together as a united family.
” We came to meet with the LP only Governor, Dr Alex Otti; and to settle our grievances in view of the forthcoming election. Having one house will be more efficient for us to win this election.
” We have reached an understanding, and the grievances have been ironed out. And we all agreed to work together to deliver our party and our candidate.”
Adding his voice, the Edo LP Chairman, Ogbaloi, said the party had united for victory ahead of the September poll.
He thanked all the aspirants for their decision to place the party’s interest above their personal benefits.
Similarly, Rep. Iyawe, commended all the aspirants for uniting behind Akpata who he described as “a salable candidate to deliver the mandate of the party and the people” .
