Akpederin, who is set to run under the rising banner of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), addressed an assembly of senior journalists and political correspondents in Asaba, the Delta State capital. His declaration marks his fourth consecutive attempt to represent the industrious people of Sapele at the state legislature, a factor he considers an asset rather than a setback in his political journey.
Reflecting on his political journey and analyzing his competitive edge over other prospective contenders within and outside his party, the seasoned legal expert stated that his prolonged involvement in the political landscape has yielded a vast network of local supporters. He noted that his strategic advantage lies in his extensive history of community engagement, which has given him unmatched insight into the specific needs of the constituency.
“The advantage I have over my rivals is that I have more experience in grassroots mobilization and reach,” Akpederin stated confidently during the media briefing. “I also have the confidence of the majority of people who have continually been reaching out to me to go into the ring again.”
Championing Participatory Governance Over Top-Down Directives
Detailing the philosophy driving his 2027 legislative bid, Akpederin explained that his renewed desire to contest was informed by an urgent, systemic need to redefine how governance is practiced in the region. He criticized the traditional, exclusionary approach to public administration, advocating instead for a complete shift from top-down executive directives to a model of participatory governance. Under his proposed legislative framework, regular citizens would be directly empowered to define, track, and actively influence policy implementation.
The NDC candidate carefully outlined a comprehensive, multi-sectoral blueprint aimed at transforming the socio-economic reality of Sapele. He identified five core pillars that would form the foundation of his legislative agenda: robust economic and social development, local security architecture, citizens' welfare, strict fiscal accountability, and the integration of digital governance to streamline public service delivery.
He argued passionately that political apathy among well-meaning and competent citizens is largely responsible for the governance deficits witnessed across various tiers of government in the country. He warned that abandoning the political space to unscrupulous actors has devastating, long-term consequences for society.
“Decisions are made daily by those in government which affect all of us,” Akpederin observed. “If we neglect to participate in politics, we would have got ourselves into a situation whereby the worst of us decide so much which affects our lives and those of our children and our future. Politics determines whether public resources would be directed to the welfare of the people or would be misappropriated for matters not beneficial to the people or even squandered. So in a nutshell, my decision to participate in politics is to contribute to having a government that has an agenda for the people.”
The renowned community leader, who has spent decades advocating for legal and social justice, described a high volume of political participation as the true hallmark of a thriving representative democracy. Rather than feeling threatened by the growing number of aspirants eye-marking the Sapele State Constituency seat, Akpederin welcomed the competition, noting that a crowded field is a healthy indicator for the electorate.
“It is good that many persons are interested in contesting for the position of House of Assembly position,” he remarked. “It means if we have a free and fair election, there would be an array of candidates that the people can choose from. Participation is the hallmark of representative democracy.”
Optimism Over National Assembly’s Electronic Electoral Reforms
A significant portion of Akpederin’s address focused on the historical evolution of Nigeria’s electoral system and the structural vulnerabilities that undermined his previous bids for the state legislature. He commended the National Assembly for its legislative interventions over the years, particularly the progressive introduction of advanced biometrics and electronic verification processes into the nation's electoral guidelines.
Reflecting on his past experiences in the political trenches, the NDC aspirant painted a vivid picture of the electoral malpractices that plagued previous voting cycles, expressing relief that technological innovations have largely curbed those manual loopholes.
“This is the fourth time I am running for the same office,” Akpederin revealed. “Unfortunately, most of the time, the Electoral Process did not always afford the people the opportunity to choose the person they truly desire. There was a time that one person could have several voter cards and vote several times. There was even a time that figures were just capriciously allotted to candidates by compromised presiding officers of Polling Units. But with the introduction of elements of biometrics and electronic processes in our elections, we hope to get a more credible process and outcome.”
With his formal declaration now out of the way, Akpederin is expected to return to Sapele to kickstart his ward-to-ward consultation tours, engaging local delegates, market women, youth groups, and community elders to consolidate his grassroots support base before the party's primary elections.
