Edo 2024:Obi Discards Akpata
…says Obidient Movement advocates fairness, equity, inclusivity, and justice
By Steven Irabor
This are not interesting times for Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata, the embattled Edo State Labour Party, LP, candidate for the September gubernatorial election. In a press statement credited to Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the 2023 general election, one cannot fail to notice how he unwittingly discarded Akpata from hoping the Obidient Movement was for him to use in Edo State because he is running under the LP in which Obi ran under in 2023.
The statement reads:
“I like to categorically state that the Obidient Movement is not directorate of any particular political party. Any individual or individuals claiming to be leaders of this non-existent directorate are simply not members of the broader Obidient Movement.
“There may be a youth mobilization directorate in political parties but the Obidient movement is far beyond a particular political party. The Obidient Movement is a diverse and inclusive collective that transcends traditional political, religious, and ethnic affiliations.
“It is not domiciled within any particular party or headquartered in any particular part of the country. Its membership spans across Africa and the globe, comprising individuals from various backgrounds, including rural communities, and public, private, and corporate entities, united by a shared vision for a New and better Nigeria. Guided by the principles of adaptive and transformative change, progress, discipline, and democratic values, the Obidient Movement advocates for fairness, equity, inclusivity, and justice.
“It is committed to a strictly accountable and responsible code of government. Our members are committed to contributing to the realization of a better future for Nigeria through the New Nigeria project, anchored on loyalty, integrity, and democratic values.
“The Obidient Movement seeks to foster positive change through a commitment to integrity, honesty, and accountability, rejecting deceitful behaviours.
“We serve as a beacon of hope for a reimagined Nigeria, where leadership is grounded in character, capacity, competence, compassion and the well-being of all citizens.
“Let this serve as a clarification that the Obidient Movement operates independently of any political party, and its membership is not limited to any particular affiliation.
“Our focus remains steadfast on driving positive change and promoting a New Nigeria for all. This is who we are and will remain for all time”.
Akpata has consistently come under broad-based moral attacks by several Edo State citizens for contesting the election when he and the outgoing governor, Godwin Obaseki, are from same senatorial district, Local Government Area, LGA, ward, and as a matter of fact, are close blood relatives. Citizens from the three senatorial districts have questioned his sense of justice, equity and fairness, when the citizens have unanimously ceded this gubernatorial contest to Edo Central Senatorial District.
This press release by Peter Obi could not have come at a better time: it is a lecerating instruction to members of the Obidient Movement wishing to pitch their tent with Akpata to jettison the idea as his candidacy negates all the movement stands for and its underpinning ideology, which is hinged on fairness, equity, inclusivity, and justice.
Since the press statement was released, the dwindling and confused camp of Akpata has been thrown into further political mourning, heightening the already existing choatic unrest as occassioned by the factional chairmanship tussle that is capable of completely obliterating the party in Edo State.
There are however frantic efforts by Akpata’s media handlers to downplay the dispirited press statement and as well as perfect a damage control by claiming Peter Obi is being misunderstood. How this will work is yet to be ascertained.
