*Says APC is poised to bring more States into its fold

By Chris Udi, Rivers

RIVERS – The President of the Nigerian Senate and former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has described the mandate of the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, as “divinely ordained by God to bring respite and development to Edo State.”

Akpabio made the remarks on Saturday when he received Governor Okpebholo at his residence in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Ascribing Okpebholo’s electoral victory to God, Akpabio said God had chosen him at this time to rewrite the history of Edo State and place it on the path of development.

He 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 the 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.”

While thanking the Edo people for choosing the APC in the September 2024 Governorship election, Akpabio said aligning the State with the Government at the center portends many positives for the Heartbeat State and the South-South region, stressing that the zone is now stronger as a negotiating voice at the federal level.

“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 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 a need for us to change the political basket to enable us to 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 center.”

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.

On his part, Governor Okpebholo said he was in Akwa Ibom to share ideas with Akpabio and tap from his wealth of experience.

Governor Okpebholo 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.