Akpabio to Oshiomhole: Edo gov, Monday Okpebholo may retire you

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has expressed worries that Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State may retire Senator Adams Oshiomhole if the governor returns to the Senate.

However, Oshiomhole dismissed Akpabio’s concerns, stating that Okpebholo is not from his senatorial district.

Akpabio spoke during the Senate’s valedictory session in honour of Okpebholo on Wednesday on the floor of the Upper Legislative Chamber.

Okpebholo had represented the Edo Central Senatorial District before he was elected as the Governor of Edo State.

During the session, Akpabio said, “Distinguished Senator Oshiomhole, before you stop, I thought he was from your senatorial district?”

But Oshiomhole responded, “No, sir, he’s from Edo Central.”

Reacting, the Senate President said, “Okay, otherwise he may retire you when he comes back.”

Responding, Oshiomhole said, “By the time he’s coming back, I might already be retired, because if you add eight years to the current figure, I do not intend to do three terms here.”

Oshiomhole said that Edo was the greatest state after Akwa Ibom in Nigeria.

The lawmaker said Okpebholo had taken bold steps to reform Edo State within 30 days of assuming office as governor.

According to Oshiomhole: “We all can say one thing about Senator Monday, I have never met a man as humble as Monday.

“His humility is infectious, and yet, as a man of few words, he’s made up for that through action and sustained actions in a manner that is clear and discernible.

“Mr. President, we in Edo State are so happy because I can go home now without fear, and in one month, he has gone into history as one of the first governors who, under one week, started making appointments of men and women who will help to sharpen the economy and social life of the people of Edo State.

“He has already taken bold steps to restore respect to the traditional institutions of Edo State, and he has already started doing those things that will affect the infrastructural development of our great state, which has been abandoned for many years. All those he appointed are people we already know, like the Attorney General.

“I want to thank you, sir, for the leadership you provided, not only while he was here but also for all the support that this Senate under your leadership provided, morally and otherwise, to support, encourage, and do everything that you could — other than coming to vote — which you are not privileged to do because you are not registered in Edo State, but you relocated to Edo to give us solidarity when you needed it the most.

“On behalf of the people of Edo State, who are very happy that we have a new Sheriff in town, a progressive Sheriff for that matter, I want to thank you for your leadership, your care, your support, and all the senators you mobilized. Even when the former governor wanted to raid the INEC office and change figures, some of our senators became boxers to protect the votes of the people of Edo State.

“We are happy that in 30 days, Edo people are aware that there is a new governor in town who is humble, resourceful, intelligent, with few words, but maximum action.

“To all distinguished Senators who supported us in our struggle to reclaim Edo State, we are very grateful. Senator Monday, I thank you for the honor you have done to me as a person and the one you are doing to all those who have met you after you became the executive governor of the greatest state after Akwa Ibom.”

Recall that during the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Okpebholo defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party to emerge as the winner.