Edo 2024: Opinion Poll Tips Umakhihe To Emerge
By Simeon OSAJIE
Despite the hurdles placed on his path and the array of guber candidates seeking to contest the APC guber primary, Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe appears to be on the way to glory if the results of a recently conducted opinion poll are anything to go by.
According to the results of the poll conducted by a reputable Research Organization (*GOOD GOVERNANCE INITIATIVE*), based in Edo State, the Owan-born Technocrat who joined the APC guber race immediately after retiring from the federal civil service where he rose to the enviable position of Permanent Secretary (PS), is the favourite of APC members and delegates ahead of the parties guber primary scheduled for Saturday, February 17.
The poll which covered the 18 local government areas of the state, carved into three senatorial districts for political convenience, was essentially meant to gauge the feelings and the dispositions of Edo APC members towards the array of guber aspirants that are jostling for the party’s sole ticket.
The winner of the primary is expected to fly the APC’s flag in the September governorship election.
Some of the factors identified by the respondents for the choice of Dr Umakhihe includes his rich pedigree, records of performance while in office, competence displayed through execution of people oriented projects, amongst others.
Most of the respondents noted that the Sept 11, 2024 electioneering would dwell more on issues, in contrast to the usual play on words and emotions by aspirants and campaigners.
They emphasized that Ernest Umakhihe’s records in service has indicated that it is not rocket science to deliver quality service to the people but passion, character and willingness and suggested that his name on the ballot would be a plus to the APC during the electioneering campaigns as he has projects littered across the length and breath of the state that could be pointed at.
Interestingly, the results of the poll show that Umakhihe enjoys across-the-board support in the three senatorial districts of Edo State.
