The immediate past President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata, Tuesday explained why he joined the Labour Party (LP).
Speculation about his entry into politics grew on Monday following a post by a Twitter user, @mamarolex, in which Akpata was shown displaying his LP membership card and signifying his formal association with the party.
The move sparked discussions online with some saying the involvement of the Edo State indigene in politics had been anticipated following his notable tenure as the head of the NBA.
The post reads: “See who came to join @NgLabour the former president of the BAR association of Nigeria, Mr. Olumide Akpata! @OlumideAkpata.”
Responding to the wave of interest the photograph generated, Akpata confirmed his LP entry in a post on his Facebook profile.
He explained that he actually joined the party in March but was only presented with his membership card last Sunday.
Akpata said: “Quite a number of people have called/messaged me to confirm the news, currently making the rounds, that I have joined a political party.
“Yes… I joined the @labourparty_ng in March this year and on Sunday I attended my first ward meeting at Oredo Ward 6, in Benin City, where I was formally introduced to members of the ward and presented with my party membership card.”
Explaining why he joined the LP, he said: “This was a major step for me and not one that I took lightly… But I simply got tired of complaining about Nigeria every day and bemoaning her fate and I decided to take the plunge and to try to be part of the solution rather than agonising continually over the problem.
“This, for me, is the start of a very important journey and it is my prayer that I arrive safely at my destination.”
With the Edo 2024 governorship election months away, the ex-NBA chief’s LP political entry has piqued the interest of many.
Akpata, 50, is a senior partner at one of the country’s most prestigious law firms, Templars.
In July 2020, he caused a major upset and broke the jinx of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) that have held the NBA leadership when he defeated two highly regarded SANs to become the association’s President.
In office, Akpata earned recognition for his remarkable leadership and advocacy for legal reforms.
His dedication to promoting justice, transparency, and the rule of law during his time as NBA President earned him immense respect within the legal community and beyond.