Akpata quits law firm to be party of solution to Nigeria’s problem
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Olumide Akpata has resigned from TEMPLARS law firm to focus his sights fully on becoming Edo Governor on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) in November 2024.
Akpata, a rights activist based in Lagos where he made his name, joined the LP in March and attended his first ward meeting at Oredo Ward 6, in Benin-City on July 29.
“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,” he posted on Twitter at the time in explaining why he veered into politics, sparking speculation of a governorship gambit.
Akpata’s latest move stokes the perception he eyes riding on the carnival-like support for LP presidential candidate Peter Obi to overrun the splintered Edo Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and take over from Governor Godwin Obaseki who is at loggerheads with Philip Shaibu, his Deputy who wants to succeed him.
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Great sense of pride and responsibility
“It is … with mixed feelings, but with a great sense of pride and responsibility, that I announce my disengagement from TEMPLARS with effect from 31st August 2023,” Akpata said, per reporting by Thenigerialawyer.com.
“This decision, which is not one that was taken lightly, became inevitable in view of my recent foray into active politics with a view to contributing towards the critical task of nation-building.
“I wish to assure the lawyers and staff at TEMPLARS, our clients, the legal community in Nigeria, and the general public that this decision was a collective one, which accords with the Firm’s governance protocols that I signed up to.
“In my absence, our clientele will continue to be served by over 100 lawyers in TEMPLARS led by twenty other partners (across different practice areas) working out of the Firm’s offices in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Accra.
“I sincerely appreciate the Managing Partner, Oghogho Akpata, my other Partners and the entire staff of TEMPLARS for their unwavering support and for always being there for me.
“Indeed, the story of my life will never be complete without a chapter devoted to the central role that TEMPLARS played therein.”
Akpata was the 30th President of the NBA, whose tenure ended in 2020.
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