An aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ernest Umakhihe, has withdrawn from the Edo State governorship race.
News About Nigeria reports that Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Lucky Imasuen had also withdrawn from the race, leaving nine of the 12 cleared aspirants in the race.
Umakhihe disclosed his withdrawal from the governorship race in a statement released on Saturday.
In the statement, Umakhihe explained that he withdrew from the governorship race because he wanted peace to reign in the APC.
He further noted that the only fear he has about stepping down is what would become of the people of Edo State, but only hopes that the best candidate would emerge.
The statement partly reads, “It is with utmost satisfaction that I write to update you and everyone, including our party leaders, that have contributed to my ‘Fresh Hope for Shared Prosperity” campaign, since we embarked on our socio-political revival mission.
“However, our train is making a temporary stop to engender peace and unity in our party, the All Progressives Congress. Frankly, the hardest part about making this decision has been the fate of the Edo people, who are faced with diverse challenges. They have been more agitated than I’ve ever seen some of them.”
Umakhihe also noted that, although, together with his team, he was able to tour 18 local government areas in the state to preach the gospel of prosperity and development, he is confident that his stepping down is for the good of the APC.
While appreciating his team members, supporters, and all those who made different contributions to his campaign, Umakhihe revealed that, since he is no longer in the race, he is ready to and will support any candidate chosen by his party.
