- He added that some politicians were behind the report, noting that his relationship with Obaseki was not something shrouded in secrecy
A governorship aspirant on the platform of the Labour Party, LP, Olumide Akpata, has described has “baseless and unfounded” reports that Governor Godwin Obaseki is bankrolling his aspiration.
Akpata, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, debunked the report while addressing journalists in Benin, Edo State capital, on Monday.
Akpata said those claiming that he was attempting to buy the LP ticket with cash were immature.
He added that some politicians were behind the report, noting that his relationship with Obaseki was not something shrouded in secrecy.
Akpata said: “That I am sponsored by Godwin Obaseki is an unfounded and baseless rumour.
“It was bandied around by two irresponsible online blogs that I shall be going after with all the venom that I can muster because my approach to fake news is that you nip it in the bud and you deal with it before it festers.
“It has also been bandied around by some disgruntled politicians, including in my party, and I said to them that it is a very weak argument or reasoning.
“My relationship with the governor has never been hidden, so it is only politicians who don’t know how to agree to disagree that quickly conclude that when two contenders sit together, they must belong to the same camp.”