Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party governorship candidate in Saturday’s election in Edo, has described Edo people as captives in love with their captors.

“I’m old enough to understand my country. Nothing shocks me in my country. Let me say that I was slightly taken aback by the reaction of the people. 

“Like I’ve described as the captives who are in love with their captors. That left me dumbfounded. Because I did not expect that from the people,” Mr Akpata said.

In an interview with Channel TV on Wednesday night, Mr Olumide said that though Edo electorates wanted a change of governance, they were too weak to resist inducements.

“We campaigned vigorously around the state, and I know the people want change. But in the face of inducement of that magnitude, they capitulated,” Mr Akpata said.

The Labour Party governorship candidate doubled down on his post-election statement, saying what took place on Saturday was a transaction and not an election.

On Sunday night, the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Monday Okpebholo of All Progressives Congress as the winner of the election.

Mr Okpebholo, according to the INEC returning officer, Faruk Kuta, polled 291,667 to defeat Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, who polled 247,274. 

Mr Akpata came a distant third with 22,763 votes.