The senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, says the state’s incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki, remains his friend despite their political and party differences.

Mr Oshiomhole spoke while giving his goodwill message at the ongoing 2023 Alaghodaro Summit in Benin.

The Alaghodaro summit is held yearly by the Edo government, in partnership with the private sector, to mark the anniversary of Mr Obaseki in office.

“I thought the world should know that Godwin is my friend,” said Mr Oshiomhole. “It doesn’t matter; being friends does not mean we cannot debate or disagree, but being friends means we treat ourselves with love and care and bring our followers together.”

Mr Oshiomhole thanked Mr Obaseki for hosting the summit and inviting him and noted that the world should know that they were friends, not enemies.

“Regardless of what people say, we should not give the impression that different options translate to war.

“Having the privilege as a governor, I have high regard for the office of the governor and the governor himself.

“What this means to me is that we can politic differently but never have doubt about the shared commitment to the citizens of the state that should be the greatest in Nigeria,” the former governor said.

Earlier, Mr Obaseki said his government had re-engineered Edo for growth and development in the past seven years and consciously laid a solid foundation for the state’s future.

The governor noted that the government focused on six thematic pillars: institutional reforms, economic revolution, social welfare, infrastructure development, environmental sustainability, and arts and culture.

Mr Obaseki noted that the bold reforms had positively impacted the lives of millions of Edo people, placing the state on the path of sustainable and accelerated growth and development.

(NAN)