Former Labour Party governorship candidate in Edo State, Olumide Akpata, has explained why some members of the party in the state decided to defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Akpata made the disclosure during an interview monitored on Wednesday, stating that the move was aimed at continuing support for former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi.
The former governorship candidate was formally received into the ADC earlier in the week. The event, however, was overshadowed by reports of an alleged assassination attempt on Obi and other ADC chieftains.
Explaining the rationale behind the defection, Akpata said the move was part of a broader political strategy.
“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. December 31, 2025, the leader of that group moved to the ADC.
“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,” he said.
