Former Senator, now Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo has finally said an emotional goodbye to the Red Chamber with a speech presented on the floor of the house on Wednesday. The current governor of Edo state, Okpebholo, represented the Edo Central Senatorial District.
In the same vein, Senate President Godswill Akpabio declared his seat vacant and asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections as soon as possible to fill the vacant seat.
In a farewell address to the full 10th Senate, Okpebholo, who began by recounting his entire experience in the Red Chamber, stated that he could not take the lawmakers’ “warm” relationship for granted.
“Distinguished colleagues, this is quite emotional for me. From the moment I joined this 10th Senate in June 2023, every moment at the Red Chambers has remained especially memorable.
“We saw ourselves as forerunners of democracy, and we wanted the best for the nation. Barely one year in the Senate, I left to pursue the dream of becoming governor. Today I am the governor of Edo state.
“There is no way my story can be told without my distinguished colleagues here. The support, advice, and prayers were awesome.
“Let me particularly thank the uncommon Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCFR; his support and encouragement throughout my campaign period were truly uncommon.
“To my distinguished Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, your words of advice were great political wisdom. My Senate Majority Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele. I say thank you for being a brother always. My consultations with you were never regretted.
“My other principal officers and indeed the entire Senate of this 10th Senate, this is a homecoming for me. The warm relationship among us, here in the chambers, cannot be overemphasised.”
The Edo governor said, even in his current role, the memories of the 10th Senate would linger while he promised to remain a good ambassador of the Senate as he drives governance from the executive branch of government.
He said that his involvements in the business of legislation have helped to drive his passion for good governance, particularly in infrastructure development, security, education, health, and so on in his new role as governor.
“We worked together, we gained successes together, and we must always be proud of each other wherever.
“I want to express my gratitude to some of my close friends here, including Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, Senator Babangida Husseini Uba, and Senator Abdulaziz Yari, just to mention a few.” he said.
