Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Edo, says Peter Obi’s endorsement of his candidacy is “worth its weight in gold”.

Akpata spoke in an interview on Arise Television on Thursday.

The Edo governorship election is billed for September 21.

On Wednesday, Obi implored the Edo electorate to vote Akpata as their next governor.

He added that if elected, the former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) would deliver the needed change.

The LP governorship candidate said Obi has made a difference in his campaign.

“Peter Obi is making a whole lot of difference because he is one individual that people trust. People trust him because his word is his bond,” he said.

“People trust Peter Obi because he’s a performer and so his endorsement of my candidacy is worth its weight in gold and so I make no bones about it.

“I will not hesitate to take advantage of the fact that he supports me and those of you who know Obi, he will only associate with a candidate he has confidence in, every confidence in his or her abilities.

“So I’m fortunate, I’m privileged that he’s willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with me on the podium, on various podiums across the state.

“We have been to all three senatorial zones together. He has been very, very magnanimous with his time and with his energy and he has brought that to bear on the campaign process.

“The people are definitely, definitely encouraged by his presence. It gives them reason to believe again. It gives them hope again.”

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.

“But having said that, I am so concerned because I bother about capacity issues. Right now we’ve heard rumors of that some of the actors are already fighting it out at the INEC centre somewhere in Benin City.

“I’m yet to confirm that. I just read a newsflash that some hoodlums have carted away sensitive materials. Again, yet to confirm that.

“But I am concerned about capacity. I am concerned about the fact that the terrain… I have been around Edo state about five times in this process.

“The roads are in a very deplorable stage, I just wonder to myself, how can INEC manage to get around in these conditions? I just returned from the riverine areas of Edo state.

“I wonder to myself, is the regulator able to access this? Will people not be disenfranchised? You just need to see the conditions of our roads.

“I just returned to Benin from Irrua. It is so difficult to get around. So I am very worried about the logistics of this process.

“So, as you can imagine, we will continue to engage with the operators. We will continue to interrogate the system.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has directed political parties participating in the Edo state governorship election to conclude their campaigns by 11:59pm on Thursday.

On Thursday, INEC spokesperson, Sam Olumekun, issued a statement reiterating the provisions outlined in Section 94 of the Electoral Act 2022. This move aims to ensure compliance with the electoral regulations ahead of the scheduled election on September 21.

Section 94(1) of the act states that: “A person, print or electronic medium that broadcasts, publishes, advertises or circulates any material for the purpose of promoting or opposing a particular political party or the election of a particular candidate over the radio, television, newspaper, magazine, handbills, or any print or electronic media whatsoever called within twenty four hours immediately preceding or on polling day commits an offence under this Act.”

Olumekun said candidates and their supporters should not wear campaign materials to the polling units on Saturday.

“It is therefore illegal for any political party in Edo State to engage in rallies, processions or media campaigns from midnight today,” the statement reads.

“These prohibitions, including sanctions, are provided for in Section 96 of the Electoral Act 2022.

“Similarly, on Election Day, Saturday 21st September 2024, parties, candidates and their supporters should not appear at the polling units in their campaign attires or carry any campaign materials with them.

“We urge parties, candidates and their supporters to take note of the provisions of the law for compliance.”

Meanwhile, Asue Ighodalo, governor candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has ended his campaign.

In a statement issued by Erhabor Emokpae, the Team Asue Media Organisation (TAMO) said Ighodalo’s campaign ended today in line with provisions of the electoral act.

“We would like to inform the general public that the current campaign has been officially concluded by Ighodalo and consequently directed that no activity in this regard should exceed midnight, Sept. 19,” the campaign office said.

“After this time, any publications, advertisements, jingles, or any other promotional materials made in respect of the subject matter have not the blessing, endorsement or authorisation of Ighodalo or all that is associated with him in respect of same.

“Please be advised, therefore, Ighodalo will not be liable or held responsible for any consequences arising from any further campaign or promotional activities or communications conducted after the campaign’s official closing time and date.”

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has attributed the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to interference by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He made this assertion while receiving members of the PDP Board of Trustees at the Government House in Bauchi.

“Any challenge is not insurmountable, it is insurmountable by the grace of God and we will find a solution to that,” he stated.

“It is only PDP with the experience of governance that is being challenged.”

“You will notice that this is the creation of the other side. They want us to be in disarray, it is the creation of APC. They always want to have moles within us, they want to have knowledge of what is going on.”

“Even the Wike that is in APC is in PDP, he is performing very well. They don’t have people that will perform like our members and that is why they chose to pick him and gave him a state-like structure to run.”

“To us, it is a commendation. The press will see that at least irrespective of the bizarre situation, it is a recognition that PDP has the human capital to deliver Nigeria.”

Gov Mohammed also acknowledged the challenge posed by Wike’s dual role and attributed the party’s crises to opposition from the APC but assured that they have a strategy to navigate the situation.

To him, the PDP’s primary focus was on unifying the party to take over leadership in 2027 and ensure effective governance.