Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday declared the seat of Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, who hitherto represented Edo Central Senatorial District in the Red Chamber, vacant.

This was even as he asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to conduct fresh election to fill the vacant seat as soon as possible so that the people of Edo Central District would have representation in the Senate.

Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress, APC candidate, was declared winner of the September 21 Edo State governorship election by the INEC having beaten his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP and other opponents, and was sworn in on November 12

Declaration of Okpebholo’s seat vacant followed a letter from the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro on the need take such action and read by Akpabio after a valedictory session held in honour of the governor, who was until his election, the chairman of Senate Committee on Procurement.

The Senate President, however, announced Senator Jide Ipinsagba (APC Ondo North) as the new chairman of the Senate Committee on Procurement.

Speaking at the valedictory session, Governor Okpebholo, who was accompanied by top politicians from Edo State, including his deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, said since he joined the 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.

“Even as governor, the memories of the 10th Senate still linger in me. But one thing will assure you, I will remain your ambassador as I drive governance from the executive branch of government.

“My involvements in the business of legislation have helped to drive my passion for good governance particularly in infrastructure development, security, education, health and so on in my new role as governor, he stressed.

Okpebholo particularly thanked Akpabio, who he described as the uncommon Senate President for his support and encouragement throughout the election period as well as the Deputy Senate President; Senator Barau Jibrin, the Majority Leader; Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, other principal officers and entire Senators for their love, saying “the warm relationship among us, here in the chambers, can not be over-emphasized.”

In their remarks, Senators took turn to eulogise the virtues of their former colleague as a humble, hardworking, dedicated and committed person who is loved by his people and many Nigerians.

The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin described the governor as a humble person and man of few words but full of action, noting that the people of Edo State elected him “because he’s someone who has people’s interest at heart.”

He said that Okpebholo was doing the right thing in the Senate and had started doing same in Edo, advising him to remain focused without distraction.

Also speaking, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC Edo North) pointed out that the governor has made a great mark within his one year of being a senator and short period as the governor.

While pointing out that Okpebholo was the first person to be elected as Senator by the people of his senatorial district and within a year, became governor through the massive support of the people of the state, adding that he’s a very humble man whose humility is infectious.

According to Oshiomhole, the governor started making appointments within one week in office, restore the respect of traditional rulers

“In 30 days, Edo people knew that a new governor is in town, very humble, intelligence, active and committed,” he said, while thanking Akpabio for his support and leadership while the governor was in the Senate and during the election for mobilizing lawmakers to ensure his victory at the polls.

In his own, Senator Danjuma Goje (APC Gombe Central), disclosed that during the last election in the Senate, he kept to his words and thereafter showed commitment till he left to contest the governorship election.

He, therefore, urged him to continue in the same direction, saying “you will never regret if you are committed,
resolute and determined, even though you may be threatened, but remain focused.”

Goje, who was a former Gombe State governor, also advised him to carry everyone along since the state has been divided into two camps leading by very powerful people.