2024 Guber: Edo North APC leaders, Group rally support for Ex-Permanent Secretary, Ernest Umakhihe

----As aspirant promises Edo people fresh hope

Dr Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe

By Editor

Jan 11, 2024

Ahead of the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State, some leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo North senatorial district have rallied support for the aspiration of Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe to emerge as the party's candidate.

DailyMonitorngr reports that a socio-political group under the aegis of Concerned Edo Citizens Forum (CECF) has also thrown its weight behind the aspiration of Ernest Umakhihe.

The Party's leaders  from the six  Local Government Areas of the district  made their support open at Afuze, the administrative headquarters of Owan East local government area during the formal  declaration of Ernest Afolabi's  intention to vie for the Edo state governorship seat.

The senatorial district is made up of six local governments which are Akoko-Edo,  Etsako West, Etsako Central, Etsako East, Owan East and Owan West respectively.

Umakhihe, the immediate past permanent secretary in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is aspiring to contest the governorship seat on the platform of the party.

The leaders of the party that spoke at the occasion, and rallied the senatorial district's support for the governorship aspirant are Olowojoba from Akoko-Edo, Jim Garuba, from Etsako West, Okpafi Mohammed Umoru, from Etsako Central, Mudashiru Ishaka Mekidi, from Etsako East and Abdul-Ganiyu Lawani, APC Owan East  leader.

The APC leaders noted that the achievements of the aspirant at the various ministries he served as permanent secretary stood him out among other aspirants in the state.

They were, however, unanimous that it is the turn of the senatorial district to produce the next governor of the state, having produced Governor only once in the state.

In his remarks, Jim Garuba, APC leader, Etsako West local government and a retired Comptroller in the Nigeria Custom Service (NCS) opined that the various positions attained by the aspirant groomed him to be an astute administrator, manager of human and financial resources.

"We are very pleased to be here today. Our candidate Dr Ernest Umakhihe is equipped, prepared and willing  for the governorship position. 

"Many people thought that you have to be in politics, hold political elective positions like  councillor of a ward, local government chairman before you can be a Governor.

"Having worked  and attained the position of a  director, you are already groomed to handle, manage, political administrative positions and manage public funds.

As such he has been prepared for Dennis Osadebay avenue.

"We are convinced that with these credentials, when he gets there to the Dennis Osadebay avenue as a Governor, he doesn't need to be directed. He knows how to appoint and use political appointees like Advisers, use their knowledge to develop humanity, economy among others.

"We are convinced that God's willing he will be there. We have testified that he is capable, qualified, well equipped and  prepared   creditably and willing to serve the people of the state",he said.

On his part, Abdul-Ganiyu Lawani (Abu millionaire) urged support for the aspirant noting that the people of Owan East local government need to be compensated with the APC ticket for their contributions to electoral successes of the party during state and general elections.

In his speech Ernest Umakhihe, said, his desire to run for the office of the Governor was borne out of his conviction to use the highest public office to drive his vision of positioning the state at the forefront of growth and development in Nigeria.

He explained that if elected as the governor of the state, his administration would usher in fresh hope to the people of the state as well as use available resources in the state to transform the fortunes to a new and better society based on the principle of shared prosperity among citizens.

Umakhihe who said the past 35 years of his stewardship as public servant has exposed him to the little things that matters to several people, noted that he had also discovered that, their voices, especially those without voice or opportunity are left to deal with the challenges. 

 

According to him, in the face of despair, I am sure everyone here believes there can be Fresh Hope. Even with failed promises that have shut us out, we must remain hopeful.  

"It is that hope that brought us here today and together we all can rework Edo State to care for us.

"No doubt, our leaders have made tremendous efforts developing the State. The pace needs to be accelerated through enhanced mobilization of the State's potentials and enthronement of a leadership that will actualize the task of building Edo State that will usher Fresh Hope.  

"It is as a result of these gaps, that I stand before you today, in the local government Headquarter of my birthplace together with everyone present and others not here, all of us with common hopes and common dreams to seek your support to run for the office of Edo State Governor", he stated.

Meanwhile, a socio-political group under the aegis of Concerned Edo Citizens Forum (CECF) at a press conference in Benin City also 

thrown its weight behind the aspiration of the immediate past Federal Permanent Secretary .

The group expressed solidarity and confidence in the capability of the retired permanent secretary to clinch the party's ticket for the  governorship election.

Endurance Dirisu Coordinator and Felix Osas Osagie Director, Publicity and Mobilization of the group opined that the aspirant's acceptance and subsequent declaration for Edo State governorship election is a clear indication that there is hope and better days ahead for the people of the state.

"Dr, Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe demonstrated great character, uncommon intellectual sagacity in outlining his manifestoes to include Accessible Health, Agricultural Revolution,Youth Empowerment and Enterpreneurship, Women Empowerment, Transportation, SME Growth and Development, Infrastructure and Rural Developments.

"His manifestoes captured the entire pains of Edo people, he went further to provide solutions to the problems confronting Edo State. We commend him for such declaration, which is unprecedented in the history of Edo State.

"As a concerned Edo Citizens,we are strongly convinced that Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe possess the requisite knowledge to preside over Edo State based on his track record of service over the years", he added.