Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party candidate in the Edo governorship election, criticized rampant vote-buying and low voter turnout, calling the election a "bidding war for votes." He urged citizens to remain engaged in the democratic process and emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in governance.

In the recent Edo governorship election, Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party (LP) candidate, criticized the electoral process as being reduced to a “bidding war for votes.” Following the announcement of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Monday Okpebholo as the winner, Akpata expressed his concerns over rampant vote-buying and significant voter apathy.

In a statement released on September 23, Akpata lamented that the election, monitored by YIAGA Africa, was tainted by practices that effectively disenfranchised the electorate. He noted that, while traditional election-day fraud like ballot box snatching was minimal, voter intimidation and result manipulation plagued the process.

Akpata, who finished third behind the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Asue Ighodalo, pointed out that the low voter turnout illustrated a deep-rooted apathy among the populace, which further facilitated the vote-buying practices. He characterized the election as a “transaction,” arguing that the lack of engagement from voters allowed the two dominant parties to secure a disproportionate number of the available votes.

Thanking his supporters, Akpata reaffirmed his commitment to the principles of good governance, transparency, and accountability. He emphasized the importance of vigilance and active participation in the democratic process, urging citizens to remain dedicated to the ideals that will lead to true progress in Edo State and Nigeria as a whole.