Ernest Umakhihe Commends Edo People, Redeems Pledge To APC Wards With Highest Votes in Owan

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By Ojo Edobor

A quintessential chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governorship aspirant, Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe has commended leaders and members of the party, as well as the people of Edo State for voting massively for Senator Monday Okpebholo in the just-concluded governorship election in Edo State.

Dr. Umakhihe, who was speaking at his residence in Otuo, Owan East LGA of the State when he received a crowd of APC members and supporters shortly after the declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the election, expressed satisfaction with the massive votes in favour of the party across Edo State, particularly in Owan East and Owan West Local Government Areas.

He urged the people to sustain their support for the Governor-elect who, according to him, would bring about a transformation in every sector of the State economy and in all parts of the State.

Dr. Umakhihe noted that the election results clearly showed that the people of Edo State had implicit confidence in the ability of APC to repair the “broken walls” of development in Edo State and restore hope to the people.

He assured the people of Owan that they would feel the impact of the in-coming administration of Senator Okpebholo.

In their various speeches, the party leaders and supporters, who were lavishly entertained by their host, described Dr. Umakhihe as a pragmatic leader who had come to shore up the fortunes of APC in the area.

They thanked him for the great mobilization and huge financial and moral support he provided for the electioneering campaign.

The party members used the opportunity to again commend Dr. Umakhihe for all the projects he attracted to different locations in Edo State while serving in the Federal Civil Service.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe has redeemed his pledge to the wards with the highest number of votes for APC in each of Owan East and Owan West LGAs.

It will be recalled that during the electioneering campaigns, Dr. Umakhihe promised to give a cash donation of Two Million Naira (N2m) each to the ward with the highest number of votes for their party in the two LGAs making a total of Four Million Naira (N4m).

The sum of Two Million Naira was presented to APC Ward 8, Otuo, in Owan East LGA, while the same amount was also presented to APC Ward 9, Uzebba, in Owan West LGA, being the wards that recorded the highest number of votes for APC in their respective LGA in the governorship election.

Speaking on the donation, the Chairman of APC in Owan East LGA, Mr. Abdullahi Isah described Dr. Umakhihe as “God-sent” not only to the people of Owan, but also to the generality of Edo State.

The party chairman commended him for his humility and effective leadership qualities which had endeared him to the people and disclosed of plans by the party in the area to do a thank-you-visit to him.

On his part, the Owan West APC Chairman, Hon. Frank David appreciated Dr. Umakhihe for his generosity and commitment to the party, stressing that the promise of Two Million Naira was a motivation to their members.

Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and seasoned administrator, joined the party after retiring from the Federal Civil Service as a Permanent Secretary. He served as Director of Finance in the APC Campaign Council during the recent governorship election.