The Labour Party (LP) candidate in the September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship election, Barrister Olumide Akpata, has criticized the election outcome, describing it as a transaction where victory was awarded to the highest bidder.

Akpata made the remarks following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to building a democracy that works for all, not just the highest bidder. We continue to envision an Edo State, and a Nigeria, where ideas triumph over Naira, where the collective will of the people shapes our future,” Akpata said.

Akpata, who finished third in the election with 22,763 votes, expressed the need for comprehensive electoral reform.

He advocated for technology to establish systems that make vote-buying impossible, emphasizing the importance of addressing the socio-economic conditions that drive citizens to sell their votes.

“We must also address the root causes that make our people susceptible to vote-selling by creating economic opportunities, improving education, and building a society where citizens do not feel compelled to mortgage their future for immediate gains,” Akpata added.

He lamented that the Edo election exposed the harsh reality that politics in the state, and across Nigeria, is often dominated by those with the deepest pockets and the most extensive networks of influence, rather than by ideologies or the will of the people.

Condemning the widespread vote-buying, Akpata pointed to the long-term damage the practices have inflicted on Edo’s economy over the past 25 years, fostering an environment where democratic values are routinely undermined.

He, however, said despite the election’s outcome, the Labour Party remains committed to upholding the sanctity of the ballot and ensuring that the people’s right to freely choose their leaders is preserved.