Edo 2024: APC Governorship Aspirant, Umakhihe, Refutes Claims of Stepping Down

An aspirant for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Ticket in Edo State, Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, has refuted claims that he has stepped aside from the primary scheduled to hold next month.

Umakhihe insisted, Sunday, that he has not withdrawn from the race and urged his supporters across the state to remain steadfast on his aspirations to become the next occupant of the Government House on Denis Osadebey Avenue in Benin City.

His official statement came amidst shocks and confusion in the ranks and leadership of the APC on the true position of the wrongly interpreted message he sent out earlier on Sunday.

According to his statement titled “Rebuttal on Withdrawal from the Governorship Race,” Dr. Umakhihe who is one of the last six aspirants that have been cleared by the Professor Julius Ihonvbere Committee set up by the party hierarchy stated, “I refer to an earlier text message I sent to friends and fans of the EAU Movement which has been misrepresented in the social media.

“I hereby wish to state that after clarification from the leadership of the party, I remain in the race, in line with the policy of no zoning.

“I have only put on hold my tour of the Local Government Areas, which will take place in due course.

“To this end, I enjoin all to continue the mobilisation for nomination and vote of Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe Ph.D, OON as APC flag bearer in the forthcoming 2024 Governorship elections in Edo State.”

Umakhihe kicked off his Edo 2024 campaign in Afuze, headquarters of Owan East Local Government Area of the State with fanfare early in January. The organisation of this former Federal Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has created ripples in the APC in the state, leading to general belief that the Governorship Primary could swing to this Otuo indigene from Edo North.

His ‘Fresh Hope Agenda’ attracted several disciples to his call to enthrone a government with ‘human face’ in the state in the new dispensation.

This quintessential former Civil Servant is a product of the prestigious University of Benin, Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria; where he obtained B.Sc. Accounting (Second Class, Upper Division); and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the same university. He obtained his Ph.D in Security and Strategic Studies from the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State.