The Labour Party in Edo State has vehemently refuted claims made by Abayomi Arabambi, stating that the party issued a warning to Olumide Akpata, a gubernatorial aspirant, to refrain from participating in the upcoming 2024 Edo State gubernatorial election.
In an official statement released by the Publicity Secretary and Image Maker of the Edo State Labour Party, Comrade Sam Uroupa, the party discredited Arabambi, labeling him as an expelled member of the Labour Party and emphasizing that he is neither an indigene nor a registered voter in Edo State. The party asserted that Arabambi lacks the authority to dictate who can contest for the position of the State governor.
Uroupa clarified, “Edo State Labour Party, as led by Comr. Kelly Ogbaloi, did not at any point issue any warning to Barr. Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata or any other frontline aspirant to stay off the Governorship Race as claimed by Abayomi Arabambi.”
The statement also dismissed Arabambi’s allegation that the Edo State Labour Party accused Akpata of being an operative for Governor Godwin Obaseki as “false and baseless.” It cited one of Akpata’s newsletters where he refuted the claim, stating that he is “his own man” and denied being sponsored by the incumbent Governor Obaseki.
Labour Party underscored that Akpata is a prominent aspirant for the Governorship Race without any hindrances. The party urged Akpata, his supporters, and the public to disregard news publications originating from Abayomi Arabambi and his associates.