Dr. Paul Orhi, a former Director-General of the National Agency For Food and Drug Administration in Nigeria, NAFDAC, has officially joined the governorship race under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State.
This was after some of his friends purchased and presented a PDP Governorship nomination form to him as a mark of solidarity and support for his 2023 governorship aspiration.
The group of friends led by Dr. Otunba Adekunbi, while presenting the nomination form to Dr. Orhi in Abuja in the presence of journalists, said the leadership style of the former NAFDAC DG informed their decision to encourage him to run for the Governorship position in Benue State.
WHY WAS THE EX-NAFDAC BOSS CHOSEN?
Dr. Adekunbi spoke passionately about why Dr. Orhi stood out for such a prominent position in the state.“We believed so much in you while you were in government, and even now that you’re out of government, we have seen the impact of your initiative where many Nigerians benefitted from your scholarship program.
“We believe that you can do more when you become the Governor of Benue State.
“We are rallying around to pick up this form so you can come out to contest for the Governorship position.
“We know you won’t be doing it for your own personal gains, but for the people of Benue State,” said Dr. Adekunbi.
DR ORHI’S REMARK
While accepting to run for the highest seat in Benue State, Dr. Orhi said he was short of words for the trust that his friends repose in him, saying it’s a call to serve the people of Benue.
“I’m fortunate as God has brought me this far in life; I have achieved a lot both in NAFDAC and even while out of NAFDAC.
“I have good friends both within and outside Nigeria, and the little I have achieved has brought me recognition by my friends.
I believe it’s why you are here today to send me forth to see how we can build on what the previous administrations have done and take Benue to greater heights.
Dr. Orhi stated that Benue is a wealthy state with a promising economy. “Benue has a lot of potentials, and it can even be more affluent than other states.
“For us, agriculture is our oil, and we can make more money in Benue state and deliver good governance.
“I’m in a better position to do that because, in my previous service with NAFDAC, I could see how the food industries turned things around in other countries, and we have that potential in Benue.
“Hence its name being, the food basket of the nation.
Remember that the economic backbone of Benue State is from the rural communities that produce food and cash crops that mostly rotten away because of a lack of adequate industrialisation.
But we can change that narrative for good when I eventually become the new Benue State Governor,” Dr. Orhi assured.
E/Suzan O.
