With the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election just weeks away, a frontline aspirant for the 2027 Federal House of Representatives seat, Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, at the weekend flagged off his quest for Owan Federal Constituency seat in the National Assembly.
The former federal permanent secretary is widely appreciated as a “techno-sovereign” leader whose entry into the race has unified various factions.
He received the endorsement of his APC Ward 8 leaders at a high-profile event which took place before an assembly of party stalwarts and community leaders at Otuo, in Edo State.
Speaking at the event, a former Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Pally Iriase, formally threw his weight behind the candidacy of Dr. Umakhihe for the 2027 House of Representatives seat.
Rt. Hon. Iriase who quit active politics in 2019 after serving variously as Member of House of Reps, Member Edo House of Assembly, Secretary to Edo State Government and Chairman of Owan East LGA, insisted that he was not returning to party politics but would not stand aside and allow the internal zoning arrangement between Owan East and West that has worked perfectly for harmony and equity in the Owan Federal Constituency to be trampled upon.
“My endorsement of Dr. Umakhihe is not merely a personal preference but a defence of the long-standing zoning arrangement between Owan East and Owan West. Owan West has done its eight years with Prof. Julius Ihonvbere second term and it should naturally return to Owan East,” Hon. Iriase stated.
He described Dr Umakhihe as representing the unanimous choice of a people tired of sit-tight politics. “He is the bridge between administrative excellence and our future political stability.”
He insisted that any attempt to subvert this long standing agreement will have consequences for the party .
Dr Umakhihe was full of appreciation for the party stalwarts and community leaders that turned his flag off into a carnival.
“This is just my flag off to tell my ward that I am offering myself for the House of Representatives. I am eminently qualified and have the capacity to deliver on my promise. Owan Federal Constituency deserves a man who understands the workings of government at the highest level,” stressed Umakhihe.
Political analysts observe that the Owan people have “unanimously endorsed” Dr. Umakhihe as the only candidate capable of restoring the dignity of the constituency’s representation while adhering to the sacrosanct zoning pact.
His campaign, anchored on sustainable growth and institutional accountability, has gained rapid momentum following the collapse of the Ihonvbere campaign’s moral high ground.
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