Labour Party candidate in the Edo governorship election, Olumide Akpata, has debunked rumours that he has withdrawn from the race, hours to the poll.
In a statement on Friday in Benin, the Edo state capital, the politician said he is still in the race.
Akpata, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), said the publication claiming that he has quit the race was the “handiwork of fraudulent politicians”.
He implored Edo residents to disregard the publication, adding that the “pathetic attempt is an amateurish deception”.
“I have been inundated with a flood of calls and messages from friends and supporters, which constrains me to release this statement,” the statement reads.
“This statement is to dispel the wicked rumour circulating that I have decided to step down and support the PDP candidate in tomorrow’s governorship election.
“The notion that I would step down on the eve of the election, after the overwhelming support received from the good people of our state, borders on delusion.
“This pathetic attempt at deception is so amateurish that the ‘Oluwole’ forgers could not even get the date right, leaving ‘July 29, 2024’ on their fraudulent document.”
Akpata asked journalists to report the facts accurately and diligently verify information before publication, adding that he would fish out the architects of the forgery.
“I will not rest until I uncover every individual involved in this criminal act. I AM STILL IN THIS RACE,” the LP candidate said.
On Thursday, Akpata asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a credible poll.
“Now with regard to the umpire, the regulator INEC, I am hopeful because there are certain peculiar factors that lend themselves to this process that will hopefully bring about a positive outcome,” he said.
“Firstly, it’s an off-cycle election. So in that regard, we are fortunate and privileged to have the undivided attention of INEC in this state so they can bring together their entire machinery on the process.”
