By Ojo Edobor
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governorship aspirant, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe has redeemed his pledge of N2 million donation to two wards in Owan West and Owan East Local Government Areas (LGAs) for pulling the highest votes for the party during the just concluded Edo governorship election.
The benefiting wards are Ward 8, Otuo, in Owan East LGA, and Ward 9, Uzebba, in Owan West LGA,
It will be recalled that during the electioneering campaigns, Dr. Umakhihe promised to give a cash donation of N2 million each to the ward with the highest number of votes to the APC in the two LGAs.
Dr. Umakhihe redeemed the pledge at his Otuo residence in Owan East LGA when he received hordes of APC members and supporters shortly after the declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo as the Governor – elect .
He 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 the state.
He further expressed satisfaction with the massive votes in favour of the party across Edo State, particularly in Owan East and Owan West Local Government Areas and urged the people to sustain their support for the Governor-elect who, according to him, would bring about transformation in every sector of the state economy and in all parts of the state
Dr. Umakhihe further 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 also commended Dr. Umakhihe for all the projects he attracted to different locations in Edo State while serving in the Federal Civil Service.
Speaking during 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 pay him a thank-you-visit .
Similarly , 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.
