Labour Party's Olumide Akpata Loses Father and Uncle: A Heartfelt Tribute

 

Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President and Labour Party (LP) candidate in the Edo State gubernatorial election, Olumide Akpata, has opened up about the personal tragedies that led to his four-month absence from social media. In a heartfelt statement released on Monday, February 24, Akpata announced the passing of both his father, Dr. Henry Akpata, and his uncle, Dr. Sunny Akpata.

Akpata, who had taken a break from public engagements following the September 2024 polls, addressed the speculation surrounding his disappearance, stating:

“My hiatus from social media for the past four months has understandably sparked discussions and speculations about the reason(s) for my absence. While some assumed that I merely ‘disappeared’ after the elections, others have even gone ahead to suggest – rather fancifully – that I was ‘bought and paid for.’”

The legal luminary and politician revealed that his silence was due to two profound personal losses.

“During the gubernatorial campaigns, I suffered a profound personal loss: the passing of my uncle, my father’s immediate elder brother, Dr. Sunny Akpata—one of the people who shaped my values and stood as a second father to me. The urgency of the campaign delayed our chance to properly honor him, and it was only in November 2024 that we finally laid him to rest with the dignity he deserved.”

As he was still grieving his uncle’s passing, tragedy struck again.

“Yet life, in its unpredictability, demanded more of me. Shortly thereafter, my father, Dr. Henry Akpata—my sole surviving parent for 33 years and my unwavering pillar—fell gravely ill. For months, my world narrowed to his care, a sacred duty I embraced without hesitation. Despite our hopes, by the unquestionable will of our Lord and maker, he departed peacefully on January 10, 2025, surrounded by close family.”

Reflecting on his father’s life and legacy, Akpata described him as a steadfast anchor who shaped his journey.

“As I said on the occasion of his 84th birthday on May 29, 2024, he was a steadfast anchor who guided me and my sisters with a gentle hand and a deep commitment to our wellbeing. It was his unobtrusive nature that allowed me to be the person that I am today. His departure marks the end of an era, but I remain profoundly grateful for the time we shared and the legacy he leaves behind.”

While the pain of these losses remains fresh, Akpata's message is one of gratitude, resilience, and reflection. His return to public life signals a new chapter, one shaped by the enduring influence of those he cherished most.