The immediate past President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata has provided insight into his decision to join the Labour Party (LP). The news of his political entry spread like wildfire on social media after a Twitter user, @mamarolex, posted a photo showing Akpata displaying his LP membership card.
Responding to the growing interest and speculation, Akpata confirmed his affiliation with the Labour Party in a post on his Facebook profile.
He clarified that he had actually joined the party in March, but his membership card was presented to him last Sunday during his first Ward Meeting at Oredo Ward 6 in Benin City.
Explaining the reasons behind his move into politics, Akpata stated that he grew tired of merely complaining about the challenges faced by Nigeria and decided to be proactive in finding solutions. He expressed a desire to contribute positively to the nation’s progress and play a part in effecting change rather than just lamenting the existing problems.
The former NBA chief’s decision to join the Labour Party has generated significant interest, particularly in light of the upcoming Edo 2024 Governorship Election. Many view Akpata’s involvement in politics as a natural progression following his notable tenure as the head of the NBA, during which he earned recognition for his leadership and advocacy for legal reforms.
Olumide Akpata, 50, is a senior partner at the prestigious law firm, Templars. In July 2020, he made history by breaking the longstanding tradition of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) holding the NBA leadership positions, as he defeated two highly regarded SANs to become the Association’s President.
