The Labour Party gubernatorial candidate in the September 21, 2024, election in Edo State, Olumide Akpata, has stated that he cannot be controlled by any political benefactor or godfather should he win the 2023 polls.

During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday, August 29, 2024, Akpata emphasised that he is solely accountable to the Edo people.

“That is one reason they (Edo people) can trust the Labour Party government because we are answerable to the people.

“I have no strings attached. I am not answerable to any godfather. I am not answerable to any political benefactor,” he said.

In addition to Akpata, the Edo State governorship election features other candidates including Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, clarified that he is not obligated to any political godfather unlike the other candidates who are connected to former and serving governors.

He also mentioned that his campaign is not funded by Governor Godwin Obaseki whose preferred candidate is PDP’s Ighodalo.

“Initially, I was said to be the agent of Governor Obaseki, we were able to debunk that. Today, I was said to be sponsored by the APC. I think it is conspiracy theorising that is most stupid.

“I am funding myself and I have friends who believe in me and that we can do much better in Edo,” he said