The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has stated that the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, was chosen by God to rewrite the history of the state.
Akpabio described Okpebholo as a man of few words and lots of action, adding that he has the heart of the common man.
He asserted that God divinely ordained Okpebholo to bring respite and development to Edo State.
The lawmaker made the remarks on Saturday when he received Governor Okpebholo at his residence in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Akpabio said, “Your excellency, every leadership comes from God, and God chooses whom He pleases. It pleases Him at this time to choose you and the APC to lead Edo people at a time like this.
“You are a man of few words but full of action. Edo people have not misplaced their votes in choosing you. You have the heart of the common man, and I am confident that your leadership will bring development and transformation to your State.”
Akpabio lauded the bold steps taken so far by the administration of Governor Okpebholo, stressing that his one month in office has “so far renewed the hope of Edo people and given them a clear insight into the determination and preparedness of the present administration to bring development and progress to the State.”
Thanking Edo people for choosing the APC in the September 2024 Governorship election, Akpabio said, “Edo State is one of the States in the South South, before Niger delta, and this is predominantly a minority area in Nigeria. There is always a need to link up with the federal government to be able to contribute our quota to nation building.
“Through the providence of God, most of the resources that have kept the country going for decades come from this area but in terms of representation at the national level, we are always found wanting except for the period that circumstances brought us Dr Goodluck Jonathan.”
Continuing, Akpabio said, “Under the APC administration, many of us decided there was need for us to change the political basket to enable us represent our people at the national level and also have a say in what was going on in the country. So, when I made that strong movement to the APC, it was to move our people in the South South region to the centre.”
Predicting more electoral victories for the APC in the South-South region, Akpabio said with the current political permutations, going by all available indices, the ruling All Progressive Congress is poised to bring more States into its fold, a narrative that he predicts would change the developmental trajectory of the region for good.
Governor Okpebholo said he was in Akwa Ibom to share ideas with Akpabio and learn from his wealth of experience.
He said, “Seeing the development in Akwa Ibom, I have come to learn from my leader, seek his advice, and draw from his wealth of experience. He has graciously advised me.”