The Edo Labour Party governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata, has said he would form a strong opposition to the government of Monday Okpebholo.
Olumide Akpata said he cannot serve in the government of the Edo State Governor-elect. He noted that the hallmark of democracy is vibrant opposition that would hold government accountable.
The former Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) president stated this on Arise TV interview on Monday when asked if he could work with the government of Okpebholo.
Akpata said, “I will not work with the government. I believe that the hallmark of any democracy is the existence of a vibrant… Let me say not the hallmark, but one key feature of democracy is the existence of a vibrant opposition.
“So, we would naturally take play the role of the opposition or at least one of the opposition parties. And we would take this role very seriously. The election has happened, so we have sent the results that we have to our lawyers. We will of course reserve our rights to challenge the elections if we find that necessary. But whatever the case may be, if it turns out that this government indeed emerges at the end of the day, we would play the role of the opposition.”
The Labour Party governorship candidate added, “We will hold their feet to the fire. We will call them out when necessary. If when you say work with the government, you mean take positions or accept positions in the government, that is absolutely out of the question. We will remain as a Labour Party, play our role as opposition and ensure that we become part of the watchdogs of society and ensure that whichever government is in place, they do right by the people.
“That is the way democracy was designed, so that at the end of the day, there is a consequence management. The people are held accountable. We will work to see that there is transparency in governance and all of that stuff. We will not participate in political harlotry and begin to jump over the fence because somebody has been said to have won an election. That will not happen.”
