The CDD War Room received a claim via the Meedan tool stating that the Labour Party guber candidate, Olumide Akpata, has withdrawn from the 2024 Edo governorship race and declared support for the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo. The claim has emerged alongside a viral press statement dated September 20, which Akpata allegedly signed. This is coming hours before the 21 September governorship election in Edo State.
Claim: LP candidate, Olumide Akpata has stepped down for PDP’s Asue Ighodalo
Verification
To confirm the veracity of the claim, the CDD War Room assessed the viral press statement. Our first observation was the conflicting dates as we noticed that the date below Akpata’s name shows July 29, 2024, raising more doubts about the authenticity.
We contacted the State Secretary of the Labour Party in Edo State, Hon Oses Eromosele, who rejected and denied the viral claim. Further investigation showed that Akpata debunked the claim while addressing journalists saying, “It’s a figment of the imagination of an idiot. I am in this race, I remain in this race because that is what Edo people need today.”
Verdict: FALSE