EDO, Nigeria — Former Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Edo State, Olumide Akpata, has revealed why some members of the party chose to defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing their commitment to supporting former Anambra State governor Peter Obi.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, monitored by DAILY POST on Wednesday, Akpata explained that he and his colleagues moved to the ADC to continue advocating for a “better Nigeria.” He noted that staying within the Edo State Labour Party would have limited their ability to support Obi’s bid for the presidency.
“I moved to the ADC because I belong to a group who believe that a better Nigeria is possible. We were members of the Labour Party. On December 31, 2025, the leader of that group moved to the ADC,” Akpata said.
He added, “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 traveled on this platform to continue to support Peter Obi. This is because 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.”
The defection comes amid rising political tensions in the state, including an assassination attempt on Obi and other ADC leaders during a recent reception ceremony. Akpata’s move highlights the growing realignment of political actors ahead of the 2027 general elections.
