—As APC Leaders give nod to Ex Perm Sec’s ambition.
Dr Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe’s aspiration to emerge the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 17, 2024 primary election got a major boost in his Senatorial district, Edo North on Friday as leaders in the party promised to support his aspiration.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had slated the governorship election in Edo State on September 21, 2024.
The party leaders in the Senatorial district pledged to support Umakhihe’s governorship aspiration when he led members of his team on a campaign tour to the three Etsako local government areas.
The three local governments are Etsako West, Etsako Central and Etsako East.
The party leaders that spoke at the tour are Alhaji Dauda Ahmed, Chairman Etsako West, Chief John Brai Aloye, APC leader Etsako central and Hon Peter Okponoghe, Etsako East local government.
At Fugar, the administrative headquarters of Etsako Central local government, Chief John Brai Aloye, an APC leader in the local government said Dr Umakhihe was eminently qualified for the position of governor.
Chief Aloye commended the immediate past Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for coming out to run for the position of governor.
He urged the frontline APC governorship aspirant to continue from the good legacy of the former governor of the State, Adams Oshiomhole when given the party ticket and subsequently elected governor.
He however cautioned him not to betray the trust reposed in him by the people.
In Auchi, APC Chairman in
Etsako West Local Government, Alhaji Dauda Ahmed, noted that based on the governorship aspirant’s records while in the civil service, he is optimistic that when given the mandate to govern the state, Umakhihe will do more.
While appreciating Umakhihe for all the good works he has been doing for the people of Afemai land when he was in the civil service, he however appealed to the executives and members of the APC to give him the necessary support for him to get the nomination as the candidate to represent the party at the polls.
At Agenebode, Etsako East local government, the Chairman of the party in the locality, Hon Peter Okponoghe also commended Dr Umakhihe for carrying out people oriented projects when he was in the service and urged him not to relent if nominated and subsequently elected as Governor. He paid glowing tributes to Dr Ernest Umakhihe for the mind boggling interventions in several communities in Etsako East Local Government Area.
Addressing the party’s local government executives at their various secretariat, Dr Umakhihe solicited for their support to emerge the party’s flag bearer for the September 21, 2024 governorship election.
He noted that his political ambition is not about Edo South, Central nor Edo North but for the entire Edo people and the state as a whole.
He added that Edo state is richly blessed with all the natural resources, adding that he is going to attract investors to explore them, saying that the God-given mineral deposits in the area are for the benefit of the people.
He also promised to give priority to the healthcare sector in the state.
“The health of the people will be a priority as the primary health centers across the state will be upgraded and fitted with modern facilities which serve as a first point of call for any health related issue in the rural areas before taking such a person to the nearest hospital for a more adequate attention”, he added.
He urged the people to support and nominate him as the flag bearer of the great party and promised to deliver on the mandate.