During an event on Monday to mark the 62nd birthday of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the majority leader of the Nigerian Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, praised Akpabio’s leadership and its positive impact on President Bola Tinubu’s ability to govern.
Bamidele remarked that one of the reasons President Tinubu sleeps well is because of the trust and dependable leadership of Akpabio.
“I know one of the reasons he (Tinubu) is able to sleep well is because he has you (Akpabio) as the president of the Senate. He trusts you. He depends on you. Mr. President of the Senate, we are all very proud of you,” Bamidele said, expressing the Senate’s collective pride in Akpabio’s leadership.
He continued, “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 for the kind of leadership that you provide.”
Also, during the birthday celebration, Senator Adam Oshiomhole, representing both former and current governors, lauded Akpabio’s leadership style. Oshiomhole emphasized that Akpabio’s leadership reminds senators that, regardless of their party affiliation, they must unite in the Senate for the national interest.
“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 became a symbol of one united Nigeria,” Oshiomhole stated.
Oshiomhole also praised Akpabio for his resilience and tolerance during debates, stressing that democratic progress is better achieved when difficult issues are faced with courage and consensus-building. “You don’t run away from difficult challenges. That is the message he (Akpabio) gave to us last week,” Oshiomhole added.
The celebration highlighted not only Akpabio’s political achievements but also his role in fostering unity and constructive dialogue within the Senate, further solidifying his leadership as a crucial element of President Tinubu’s administration.
