Niger Delta group, RNDA, backs Dr. Ernest Umakhihe for APC governorship ticket in Edo

A coalition of leaders under the aegis of the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers, RNDA and Nine other militant groups in the Niger Delta region have declared support for the Governorship aspiration of Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Edo State.

According to the Militant leaders, despite the fact that Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe is an astute administrator, a professional human and financial resources expert with a sound accounting background who is a trained chartered accountant, a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountant, honoured with the prestigious award of Member of the Order and Officer of the Niger (OON), he has shown capacity in the area of peace advocacy and leadership needed by the people of Edo State.

The Militant leaders, after an enlarged meeting of the various commanders of the other nine Militant groups in the creeks of Bini River in Egbema Axis in Edo State presided over by the General Commanding Officer of RNDA, Major General JohnMark Ezonebi also known as Obama, declared that after a check of the various Governorship aspirants in the Edo Governorship race, “it has shown that Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe is a trailblazer, patriotic and selfless leader with distinction and a detribilized Nigerian and true son of Edo Land who has contributed to the overall development of Edo State through his previous positions, as he influenced different Infrastructural projects in Edo State including roads, solar pole street lights, distribution of agricultural proceeds to empower farmers.”

“He has been known to give needed attention to youth empowerment projects and social welfare for students empowerment, and many others to mention while he was serving the country as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security”.

“We have critical checked and analyzed the track record and antecedents of Dr Ernest Umakhihe, and we were all convinced that he will drastically and dramatically transform the economy and social life of the Edo people, which all parts of the State will be carried along and the people will have a sense of belonging. Therefore, as a militant group we are well pleased to identify with the candidature of Dr Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, and we see him as our Governor in waiting”.

“Dr Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe being our choice as we have unanimously agreed to go to the entire Edo people, and starting within the APC for holistic mobilization, and this is not farfetched because he has what it takes which other aspirants within the APC doesn’t have to galvanize the enormous natural resources including crude oil production and abundance of gas to transform Edo State and also the entire Niger Delta region with the God-given resources based on his wide and deep wealth of experience and expertise”.

“No doubt Dr Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe is a strong force to reckon with because he is a game changer that the party also believes in to take over the reins of leadership in Edo State based on his trustworthiness and foresight, and we unequivocally state with confidence that he has all it takes to change the narrative in Edo State. He is the only political figure that Edo State has as its renewed hope, and he will ensure lasting peace and cohesion that would engender a peaceful coexistence between the Binis, Esans, Afemis, Auchis and entire Ijaw tribes in the Ovia South- West and Ovia North-East Local Government Areas of Edo State including other ethnic nationalities in Edo State”.

“With Dr Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, Edo State will be great and stand tall among the comity of States in Nigeria, and her economy will be unlocked thereby lead to massive job creation for the youth and will stem the tide of Japa, and women will have sense of belonging in all sectors of the economy and governance. He will use his international exposure to attract unprecedented foreign investors to the State within a short period and Edo State will be transformed into investors hub with rapid industrialization”.

“We also urge those who will participate in the primary election to vote for him. We also advice the party’s leadership to play by the rules and not to allow any negative influence to derail the part from its victory. We believe the primary election will be transparent and fair, but we will be on ground to monitor everything. Meanwhile, we assure Dr Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe of our solid support for him as the incoming Governor of Edo State by the Grace of God”.