The Labour Party (LP) has described as unprecedented the massive turnout at the campaign road walk for its Edo governorship candidate, Mr Olumide Akpata, ahead of the Sept.21 poll.
The National Publicity Secretary, LP, Mr Obiora Ifoh said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
“A fitness walk through major cities in Benin City with the candidate has sent a strong warning to other political parties that the Party is ready to win the election if the game is played by the rules.
“Thousands of members of the Obedient movement and supporters trooped out in their thousands as a mark of solidarity for Mr Olumide Akpata candidacy in the Sept. 21governorship election.
“The fitness test has just awakened the spirit of the Edolites. It is a march that is suggestive of strength, character, resilience and capability of our candidate being the youngest amongst the top contenders.
“Akpata has chosen to change the political trajectory of Edo state by injecting youthfulness and energy in the running of the government business,” he said.
Ifoh added: “The state has suffered so much in the hands of the old order, this is time for power to change hands to a mobile generation which the Labour Party and Obedient stand for, to trigger a positive change in the state.”
Ifoh also hailed Akpata for impacting the party at the grassroot including the recent presentation of public address systems to the campaign teams in all 192 wards and 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
He said that with this gesture, the party’s campaign would resonate massively and percolate down to every nook and cranny of the state.
Ifoh cautioned against the use of agents of the state and other political detractors to undermine the party’s campaign while also advising other contestants to play by the rules.
“Edo state is the capital of the Obedient Movement in Nigeria. It is our support base and we have the best candidate for the election.
“It shows clearly during the last general election where the Labour Party won over 75 percent of the total votes cast at the presidential election.
“The support is still there and we gave the people the candidate they demanded.
“We therefore insist on fair play in the conduct of the election.
“We are not unmindful of what transpired at the University of Benin a fortnight ago, we will resist any attempt by anti democratic agents to play their dirty games,” Ifoh said.
