By Daniel Edu
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has lauded Senator Godswill Akpabio for setting a new benchmark in the Senate, claiming that no other Senate President has accomplished as much as Akpabio in his first year. Okpebholo made these remarks during a reception in his honor on Saturday night in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.
The Governor praised Akpabio’s transformative achievements as Governor of Akwa Ibom from 2007 to 2015, which greatly enhanced the state’s reputation and made it one of the most dynamic and visually appealing in Nigeria. He expressed his commitment to adopting a similar approach to bring about significant development in Edo State.
Okpebholo emphasized that in just one year, Akpabio had achieved what previous Senate Presidents could not accomplish in eight years. He also highlighted Akpabio’s unique ability to maintain calm and effectively manage challenging situations in the Senate.
The Governor said he aims to replicate Akpabio’s success, which transformed Akwa Ibom into one of Nigeria’s top states, and bring similar progress to Edo State.
“Akpabio did so much when he was Governor, and today, Akwa Ibom’s history cannot be told without his transformation story,” Okpebholo stated. “Before he came, Akwa Ibom was a state that had been written off. But within eight years as governor, he turned Uyo into one of the finest cities in the country. Seeing the progress in Akwa Ibom has given me confidence that we can achieve the same for Edo.”
In his praise of Akpabio’s leadership as Senate President, Okpebholo noted that Akpabio has achieved remarkable legislative milestones in a very short period. He commended Akpabio for leading a cohesive and effective legislative body that has supported and overseen the Executive, benefiting all Nigerians.
“What Akpabio has done in just one year, no other Senate President has been able to achieve in eight years,” Okpebholo concluded.
When things get tough in the Senate, he has a way of calming everyone down and taking charge of the situation.
“I want to thank him because, the first day I came to Akwa Ibom, I asked him, ‘why did you bring me to this place?’ He said, ‘I brought you here to come and see so that, when you become the Governor of Edo, you will replicate what I have done in this State’.
“Today, I am here to say thank you, His Excellency, the Senate president. I have listened to your advice and I want to assure you that we will do in Edo, what we have seen in Akwa Ibom,” said Okpebholo in a statement made available to Naija News on Sunday, December 29, by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua.
Senator Akpabio, in his address, appreciated the governor for his humble disposition and people-oriented approach to governance, stressing that his humility in seeking and learning from those who have successfully walked the path he currently walks indicates that he will succeed in governance.
