The 9th Senate is currently conducting a valedictory session as their four-year term comes to an end.

During this session, Senators have the opportunity to reflect on their experiences and express their thoughts on their time in the Upper Chamber. Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, opened the session, acknowledging its significance as a platform for Senators to share their remarks on the journey that began on June 11th, 2019, and concludes today.

The motion to commence the valedictory session was initiated by Senator Ibrahim Gobir, the Senate Leader from Sokoto East, and seconded by Senator Philip Aduda, the Minority Leader from the FCT.

Leading the presentations, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege from Delta Central, urged the returning Senators to support the incoming leaders of the Senate to achieve good governance. He expressed his satisfaction that the 9th Senate successfully restored the annual budgeting cycle to run from January to December, passed the Petroleum Industry Act, and ensured the availability of the Electoral Act 2023 for the conduct of credible elections.

Vice President Kashim Shettima from Borno Central, in his remarks, advised the Senators-elect to prioritize the stability of Nigeria over personal gain. He emphasized the importance of voting wisely during the election of Presiding officers for the progress of the country.

Shettima said, “As we bid farewell to this chapter, let us remember that our journey has just begun. For some of us, a new chapter beckons. As the mantle of leadership passes into fresh hands, those who will continue this noble calling, I extend my sincere congratulations.

“To my colleagues who will depart this chamber, I address you not as colleagues left behind, but as friends who have become an integral part of my history.

“We have served shoulder to shoulder in the face of adversity and worked relentlessly for the betterment of our nation. 

“To my incoming colleagues, I will leave you with a parable, ‘the stability of this nation is superior to the stability of our pockets’. On Tuesday, let us vote wisely, let us vote for the Nigerian nation.”

On her part, the nation’s first lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Lagos Central who noted that as Nigerians, we have been blessed because the President has passed through this chamber, the Vice president has passed through the Chamber, the wife of the President, as well as Governors, have passed through the same Chamber, said, “For me, I believe the 10th Assembly will give us double grace, number 10 will give us double grace.”

During his turn to address the session, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the Senate Whip and former Governor of Abia State representing Abia North on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), delivered an emotionally charged speech. Senator Kalu expressed that his remarks would carry a sense of emotion. As he spoke, he became overwhelmed with emotions and tears, recounting the political treatment he has received from those he had aided in their political journeys, as well as from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for which he had invested his resources and efforts to nurture. 

Kalu who started weeping at 1.19 pm, said, “Before I came into politics, I could buy anything money can buy. I’m not a thief. Those that put me in prison know the reason. They took over my businesses and wanted to kill me yet I survived it and I’m in the senate with you.

“I have never lacked, while I was in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where I served for two terms as governor, I brought the money that they used in forming that party, every penny, in 1997 and 1998, and I later became a thief.

“People I gave transport money from my house in Victoria Island became agents. This is what Nigeria represents. Thank you for giving me these four years of uninterrupted support. This country is not fair.”