Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olumide Akpata, has refuted rumors linking Governor Godwin Obaseki’s financial support to his gubernatorial aspirations. Akpata clarified that there is no truth to speculations suggesting Obaseki would back him if his favored candidate within the People’s Democratic Party fails to secure the ticket.

During the award day of the 2023 Press Week of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), where he served as a Special Guest, Akpata dismissed allegations of attempting to buy the Labour Party ticket with money, dismissing such claims as immature.

Akpata stated, “That I am sponsored by Godwin Obaseki is an unfounded and baseless rumor. It was circulated by irresponsible online blogs, and I shall be addressing this with all the vigor I can muster. My approach to fake news is to nip it in the bud and deal with it before it festers.”

Responding to allegations of cozying up to the governor, Akpata emphasized, “My relationship with the governor has never been hidden, and it is only politicians who fail to understand that two contenders can sit together without belonging to the same camp. I come from an honorable family with a history of political diversity, where members can disagree and still share a meal.”

He further stated, “Politics is not my primary profession; I am a successful lawyer. If I cannot achieve my political goals independently, I will stay at home. I am not beholden to anyone, and I am certainly not a hireling.”

Addressing claims of being a “money bag,” Akpata asserted, “I put my money where my mouth is, and those who accuse me of being a money bag have been spending long before I entered the scene. When people feel uneasy about a competition they cannot match, they tend to fabricate baseless allegations.”

Akpata’s remarks highlight his commitment to dispelling misinformation and maintaining integrity in his political pursuits.