“I’m not a political harlot,” — Akpata explains why he will mot work with Okpebholo‘s administration

Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate in the recent Edo State election, firmly declared his stance against collaborating with the newly elected Monday Okpebholo‘s administration, emphasizing his refusal to partake in what he termed as “political harlotry.”

Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Akpata, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, expressed his disappointment with the outcome of the election but reaffirmed his commitment to his principles and integrity. He made it known that he would not be tempted to join forces with the new government, despite any offers or overtures that may arise.

“If I am called upon, I will not work with the new government,” Akpata declared emphatically.

“I will not participate in political harlotry. My loyalty lies with the people, and I stand firmly with my values.

The Labour Party candidate also hinted at the possibility of legally challenging the results of the election. Akpata revealed that his campaign team had already forwarded election results to their legal team for review. He stressed that they would not hesitate to take legal action if the need arose.

“We have sent out results to our lawyers and will reserve our right to challenge the elections if necessary,” he said, hinting at potential litigation

GWG.ng reports that the Edo State governorship election saw Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) declared the winner, with Akpata coming in third behind the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Akpata had previously raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process, criticizing vote-buying and other irregularities.

While Akpata’s next steps remain uncertain, his refusal to align with the new government has drawn attention, highlighting his stance on political transparency and integrity in the face of what he sees as a flawed election process.