By correspondent in Benin.
A socio-cultural group – “Assembly of Edo Patriots”- has resolved to fund the nomination fee for ex- Federal PermSec, Dr Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, in the Edo Gubernatorial race on the platform of the APC.
The group, in a statement on Monday in Benin City said that Dr. Umakhihe was best qualified to be fielded by the APC for the gubernatorial race because of his pedigree as seasoned bureaucrat and his honest and transparent dispositions towards governance.
The Assembly’s Co-ordinator, Dr. Oziegbe Obanor, stressed that indications were that Dr. Umakhihe stood shoulder taller than all other candidates by his background as a chartered accountant who also as a federal permanent secretary successfully oversaw official affairs in more than four key ministries before his recent retirement.
They described Dr. Umakhihe as an eminent ‘homeboy’ of Edo State who never lost touch with the grassroots but instead always identified with them and facilitated numerous projects across Edo state as a federal permanent secretary.
It advised the APC to pick Dr. Umakhihe who would obviously up the stakes for the party and give it the desired victory in the gubernatorial elections in September.
“We cannot afford a gamble this time around, hence the best choice must be made and that choice is no other than Dr Ernest Umakhihe”, Dr Obanor said.
Dr. Umakhihe retired from the Federal Civil Service early this year after 35 years of meritorious service to the nation. An ICAN-chartered accountant, he holds a B. Sc in Accounting, Masters in Business Administration and a Ph.d in Security & Strategic Studies.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
