Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has praised Senate President Godswill Akpabio, stating that one of the reasons President Bola Tinubu enjoys restful nights was due to Akpabio’s capable leadership in the Senate.
Bamidele disclosed this on Monday while speaking on behalf of a group of Senators, who gathered at Akpabio’s Abuja residence to celebrate his 62nd birthday anniversary.
According to a statement from Akpabio’s media office, the gathering, which was impromptu, included notable attendees such as the National Assembly Management team led by the newly appointed Clerk, Kamoru Ogunlana; political associates; Akpabio’s friends, and staff of the Senate President’s office, led by Chief of Staff Sylvester Okonkwo, who presented a birthday card and gifts to Akpabio on behalf of the team.
Others in attendance included Kogi State governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, former Deputy Governor of Edo State Philip Shaibu, and prominent private individuals.
Senator Bamidele commended Akpabio for his leadership, adding that his colleagues were proud of his performance as Senate President.
“I know one of the reasons he (President Tinubu) can sleep well is because he has you (Akpabio) as the President of the Senate.
“Mr President of the Senate, we are all very proud of you. I’m standing with my colleagues. I’m always privileged to speak on their behalf and I know I’m not saying anything other than what they expect me to say.
“We are very proud of you. We just want to thank you for who you are and we want to thank you for the kind of leadership that you provide,” Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central, said.
When asked to propose a toast on behalf of former and present governors, Senator Adam Oshiomhole, who was a two-term governor of Edo State said: “This evening, I’m asked to give a toast to a man, elected the President of the 10th Senate.
“His leadership of the Senate reminds all of us that regardless of the platform upon which we were elected and regardless of the party of the 109 Senatorial Districts that we come from, once we have arrived at the Senate, we become a symbol of one united Nigeria.
“And in a moment like this, to speak of a man who had the appetite to tolerate debates and remind us that Senators are not meant to be stammerers and that democracy manifests better when there are controversies, not meant for the chicken-hearted, we must have the courage to face issues, debate them, build consensus and arrive at something in the national interest. You don’t run away from difficult challenges. That is the message he (Akpabio) gave to us last week.”
Responding, Akpabio thanked his colleagues and other well-wishers for the gesture even though he had no formal plan for any event to mark his birthday anniversary.
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