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Tag: Bamidele

  • Bamidele denies alleged brawl with Akpabio

    Bamidele denies alleged brawl with Akpabio

    The Majority Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has denied alleged physical altercation between him and Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

    Bamidele was reacting to a post on X that alleged that he had a brawl with Akpabio on Wednesday at the National Assembly.

    The post by one Jackson Ude titled: “Senate President Akpabio, Leader Bamidele exchange blows inside Senate Cafeteria” reads: “Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele had a big fight, holding themselves by the neck while exchanging blows on Tuesday at the Senate Cafeteria, according to an eyewitness.

    However in a statement titled: “No altercation between Akpabio, Bamidele” by his  Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Bamidele urged members of the public to disregard the fake news.

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to fake news currently being circulated on the X handle of one Jackson Ude, a known serial blackmailer and cash-and-carry journalist.

    “The post is about an alleged altercation and physical fight between Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday.

    “For the record, it is a verifiable fact that Senator Bamidele has never been involved in physical assault in over two decades of his political trajectory, not even when he was a young man leading the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) as President.

    “It is surprising that the purveyor of this misleading information in his selfish agenda and unprofessional conduct threw ethos of Journalism into waste bin and decided to feast on roadside gists to tarnish the image of the Senate Leader.

    Read Also: Bamidele launches free medical outreach in Ekiti

    “We are aware that the fake news is meant to cause disaffection within the Senate and by extension; heating up the political system.

    “To think that the Senate Leader, President of the Senate and other principal officers of the Senate together received the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. YU Dunhai and his delegation few minutes after leaving the plenary on Wednesday is a significant testimony against Ude’s imagination.

    “Further to this, photographs of the Chinese envoys with the leadership of the Senate were widely published in today’s major national newspapers.

    “It is equally verifiable that the Senate Leader and the Senate President both drove out of the National Assembly premises in the same vehicle yesterday.

    “This time again, the Senate Leader is sounding a note of warning to all attention seekers in the ilk of Ude to be careful and not take the Leader’s gentlemanliness for granted.

    “Henceforth, the Leader will be forced to use the instrumentality of the law to protect himself and his office as enshrined in the Cyber Crime Act 2015. We, therefore, urge the public to disregard this misinformation and treat it with the disrespect it entirely deserves.”

  • Bamidele: I’m not working against Yoruba’s Interest

    Bamidele: I’m not working against Yoruba’s Interest

    Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele has faulted claims that he is working against the interests of the Yoruba in the National Assembly.

    Bamidele also said the claims “are baseless, false and unfounded,” noting that he had been dutifully serving the interests of Ekiti Central, Ekiti state, south-west, and Nigeria by extension, since his election into the National Assembly.

    He made this clarification in a statement by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs on Wednesday.

    He challenged any person with audio-visual and documentary evidence of the allegations to come out and present such.

    Some media platforms had allegedly credited a statement to the Senate Leader to the effect that, “If we allow the regional system in Nigeria, we would have automatically given the easterners Biafra.”

    Faulting the statement on Wednesday, Bamidele said he never made such a statement, which he said, was an attempt to pitch him against the Yoruba and other ethnic nationalities in the federation.

    He added that he did not make any statement about the regional government in line with the 1960 and 1963 Constitution at the 27th-28th September 2024 Senate Retreat on the Review of the 1999 Constitution in Kano.

    “The claim is far from the truth. I never spoke about the return to the regional government at any forum; neither did I make a claim that ‘If we allow the regional system in Nigeria, we would have automatically given the easterners Biafra.’

    “It is a sheer case of misinformation and deliberate fake news, which do not in any way represent my worldview about federal governance structure,” Bamidele said.

    Bamidele, however, warned that he would not hesitate to legally challenge any individual or establishment fabricating and circulating fake news against his person and office.

    Read Also: Senate frowns at false claims against Bamidele

    Currently, according to the senate leader, there is no proposal for the return to the regional government before the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.

    He further said: “How then can I oppose the proposal that is not currently before the Constitution Review Committee? I believe this statement is politically motivated to discredit me before Nigeria as a whole.

    “Already, the 10th Senate Constitution Review Committee has received 37 fresh constitution alteration bills. The Committee is also considering 16 constitution alteration bills inherited from the 9th National Assembly, making 53 alteration bills altogether.

    “None of these alteration bills proposed the return to the regional federal governance structure as practised in the First Republic. Linking me to an anti-regional government is a deliberate attempt to tarnish my image. I am not working against the interest of the Yoruba. I will never do so for any reason,” he said.

  • Senate frowns at false claims against Bamidele

    Senate frowns at false claims against Bamidele

    The Senate has frowned at a petition against the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele by the Convener, Public Procurement Transparency Group, David Udoh.

    The Directorate, Media and Public Affairs, Office of the Senate Leader, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Friday.

    It said that Udoh had petitioned the Chairman, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Aliyu (SAN) against Bamidele.

    According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), “Udoh accused Bamidele of intimidating and pressurising Chief Executive Officer, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Mr Abba Aliyu to award contracts to some companies linked to him,  contrary to the Public Procurement Act, 2007.”

    According to the statement, the allegation is not only baseless but also without any evidence in support of its claims.

    “Already, REA has issued a statement, disputing all these vicious claims.

    “Specifically, REA management noted that it was never under any pressure “to compromise the integrity of its procurement process.

    “Rather, it always upholds transparency, fairness, and due process in all its activities including procurement.”

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    The statement reads further: “We have endured enough of all sorts of cheap blackmail by faceless groups and individuals using some bloggers and social media.

    “To feed the unsuspecting public with falsehoods and fallacies capable of causing further damage not just to the image of the National Assembly, but also to the public perception of Nigeria, especially among comity of nations.

    “Our preliminary background checks reveal that the Public Procurement Transparency group has no record with the Corporate Affairs Commission; its Convener, David Udoh, faceless and his phone contact is practically inactive and non-functional.

  • Easter: Senate Leader, Bamidele, calls for emulation of sacrificial spirit of Jesus Christ

    Easter: Senate Leader, Bamidele, calls for emulation of sacrificial spirit of Jesus Christ

    As Nigerians join the rest of the world to celebrate another Easter in remembrance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; the Senate Leader, Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele, on Sunday, called on them to  imbibe the sacrifice and pains the saviour of mankind went through on the cross.

    Bamidele, who said this in a statement issued by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, noted that the price paid  by Jesus Christ which eventually saved humanity from eternal damnation could be likened to the economic hardship currently being experienced by Nigerians, a situation he assured will pay off in due course.

    He noted: “It is pertinent for us as an individual and citizens of Federal Republic of Nigeria to pick one or two lessons from the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, though it was a painful sacrifice, but the sacrifice paved the way for our external redemption.

    “It is in the interest of nation building for both the leaders and followers to learn the importance of sacrifice as panacea to lay foundation for the future of any nation.

    Read Also; Okuama-17 and improbable honours

    “The sacrifice we are undergoing today may be painful just as it was for Jesus Christ over 2000 years ago, yet I call on the citizenry to remain hopeful and undistracted as there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

    “We should not allow pessimists to paint a picture of a failed nation before us, without recourse to the relentless efforts of the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he assured.

    Bamidele further expressed optimism that whatever sacrifice Nigerians may be going through shall not be in vain; adding that the federal government is on top of the situation and laying the foundation for a prosperous Nigeria.

    He said current economic indices can attest to the fact that there are unprecedented rapid reforms taking place across key sectors of the life of the nation.

    He gave the instance of the Foreign Exchange that had hit the roof top few weeks ago but now drastically dropping by 32.6 percent as a result of pragmatic steps taken by President Tinubu and and his economic team.

    Bamidele further assured that investors are currently trooping into the country with job creating opportunities, while the National Assembly is prepared to give the President all the needed legislative backing to ensure that the sacrifices of Nigerians are soon rewarded.

    The Senate Leader therefore urged Nigerians;  as they continue to celebrate this year’s Easter to remember the leadership of the country in their prayers for divine wisdom and direction to pilot our affairs to a safe location.

  • National Assembly will partner Executive, others to stabilise economy, democracy, says Bamidele

    National Assembly will partner Executive, others to stabilise economy, democracy, says Bamidele

    Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has said the National Assembly will work with the Executive and other stakeholders to stabilise the economy and democracy in the country.

    Bamidele said this during an inspection tour of some projects he initiated in Ado-Ekiti, Aramoko, Eriyiyan, Ijero-Ekiti, Efon, and other places yesterday under his Ekiti Central Senatorial District.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Governor Biodun Oyebanji accompanied the Senate Leader on the inspection of the projects, which include hospital buildings, medical students’ hostels, a library, road infrastructure, and mini-stadium at Ekameta.

    Read Also: Bamidele Johnson prepares for late mum’s burial

    At the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), where he donated a hostel accommodation under construction, Bamidele praised the alumni association and other stakeholders for supporting government in the development of the institution.

    Also, Oyebanji hailed Bamidele for providing people-oriented social amenities and public infrastructure for his constituents.

    The governor noted that the collaboration between state governments and the National Assembly, through the constituency projects of lawmakers, would address socio-economic growth of Ekiti residents and those in other states.a

  • EKSU honours Oyebanji, Falaki, Bamidele, others

    EKSU honours Oyebanji, Falaki, Bamidele, others

    The Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, paid tribute to it’s notable alumni and friends on Sunday night at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    The event was organized to recognize and appreciate some distinguished alumni and friends of the University

    Those honoured include Biodun Oyebanji, the Governor of Ekiti State, Akinsanmi Falaki, Regional Head of Keystone Bank (Northern Division), and Engr. Dipo Bamisaye.

    The event also recognized Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Prof Edward Olanipekun, Vice Chancellor of EKSU, Tope Fasua, Special Adviser on Economic Affairs to the President, Rt. Hon Adeoye Aribasoye, Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, and Prof. Akin Oyebode, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council.

    Read Also; Food inflation a global phenomenon – Bwala

    Governor Oyebanji received commendation for his substantial support, including the connection to Independent Power Plant (IPP) and increased government subvention to the university.

    Akinsanmi Falaki was lauded for his outstanding representation of the university in the Nigerian banking sector, recently earning the title of ‘Banker of the Year.’

    Engr Dipo Bamisaye, Global President of the Alumni Association, was honoured for driving developmental projects and leveraging his networks for the university’s benefit.

    Pro-Chancellor Akin Oyebode, a professor of international law, was acknowledged for his unwavering contributions.

    Prof Edward Olanipekun, the Vice-Chancellor, expressed gratitude to the awardees for their relentless contributions to the university and the nation.

    The awardees, therefore, thanked the university’s management for recognizing their efforts and pledged renewed commitment to the institution’s development.

  • Bamidele: Present travails won’t derail God’s plan for Nigeria

    Bamidele: Present travails won’t derail God’s plan for Nigeria

    The leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, has welcomed Nigerians into 2024 with optimism, saying the present travails will never truncate God’s plan for the country and its teeming population.

    Bamidele, however, challenged Nigerians to walk by faith and not by sight, pointing out that 2024 “is not a year to live our lives according to proclamations and prophecies of some religious merchants, who are fond of foretelling evil about Nigeria.”

    In a New Year message by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Bamidele asked all Nigerians not to be discouraged by diverse economic, political and social challenges that posed threat to the peace, progress and unity of Nigeria.

    The Senate leader said 2024 “is not a year to listen to religious leaders, who are fond of proclaiming negative prophecies about Nigeria and her future. No! Most of such clerics are not declaring the mind of God concerning Nigeria as a people.

    “God’s plan for Nigeria is neither doom nor evil as evident in the Scripture. His plan for us as a people is peace, prosperity and a great future. And it is divinely ordained that His plans shall definitely come to pass if we hold fast the profession of our faith.

    “As a people, we have a part to play in realising God’s plan for Nigeria. Our part is to daily trust in God Almighty for the fulfilment of all His promises; pray without ceasing for those He had ordained to rule over us and support the Government of Renewed Hope.”

    Read Also: Senate leader Bamidele hails ‘Progressive General’ at 70

    Bamidele, specifically, urged Nigerians “not to be deterred by what is going on around us. Rather, we must keep our hope alive in God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth. If we are preoccupied with what is happening around us, we may be too scared to go into the New Year in faith for a greater tomorrow.

    “We should all know that we have God who created us only for His glory, plan and purpose. We should therefore not walk by sight. We should walk by faith in God the Omniscient and Omnipotent. 

    “If we are obsessed with the present conditions of our economy, we will not see the glorious and great future that God has already set before us. If we cannot see such a glorious future, then we will find it to walk confidently into it.

    “God did not create us to punish us. He did not create us to languish on earth. He did not create us to be at war. Rather, God created us in His own image, for His glory and according to His divine will. As I always say, our past is a story already told. Yet, our future can be written in Gold,” Bamidele said.

  • Senate leader Bamidele hails ‘Progressive General’ at 70

    Senate leader Bamidele hails ‘Progressive General’ at 70

    Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has felicitated the Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF) and former Benue State Governor, Senator George Akume, who clocks 70 years today.

    In a statement by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs on Tuesday, Bamidele described the SGF as one of the few progressive generals, who through firmness, resilience and tenacity reclaimed Nigeria from the claws of regressive elements in 2015.

    He specifically commended Akume for being consistent, firm and tenacious in the  progressive struggle to reclaim Nigeria right from the era of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria to the dawn of All Progressives Congress in February 2013 and beyond.

    He recounted Akume’s many contributions as Benue State Governor (1999-2007), Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2007 – 2019) and Minister of Special Duties (2019 – 2023), pointing out his unflinching love for his people and his people’s love for him.

    The statement said: “On this day, I celebrate one of the priceless generals in the ranks of the progressives, who worked valiantly to rescue and reclaim Nigeria from the claws of regressive elements that ruled between 1999 and 2015.

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    “Even when the progressive actors could not make meaningful inroads into the Middle Belt, Senator Akume held forth and is still holding forth, especially amid stiff opposition from the ruling elite in the state and at the centre.

    “Senator Akume’s politics of consistency and welfarism has made both the young and old people in Benue State to be pleased with him. Today, there is no political actor in Benue State, indeed Middle Belt at large, that is in touch with the people at the grassroots as Senator Akume. He is truly a man of the people.

    “For these reasons, the upcoming progressives nationwide have the onus of understudying Senator Akume’s politics that endeared him to the heart of Benue people and beyond since his election in 1999,” the senate leader said in a statement.

    Bamidele, therefore, prayed that God would continue to satisfy the SGF with longer life; grant him unfailing memory; bless him with enduring peace and fill his heart with joy unspeakable in the Name of Jesus Christ.

  • Bamidele: Senate to consider diaspora voting this week

    Bamidele: Senate to consider diaspora voting this week

    Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has said the Red Chamber will consider the diaspora voting rights this week as part of the ongoing review of the Constitution.

    Bamidele spoke during a virtual diaspora dialogue at the weekend organised by the Directorate of Diaspora and International Affairs, Office of the Senate Leader, in collaboration with Engage Diaspora Foundation and Nigeria Diaspora Foundation.

    A statement yesterday in Abuja by the Office of the Senate Leader said Bamidele expressed the resolve of the National Assembly to reconsider the diaspora voting rights and other related issues affecting Nigeria in the diaspora.

    Two weeks ago, the Senate Leader had sponsored a motion aimed at reviewing the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.

    Read Also: Senate considers diaspora voting this week, says Bamidele

    But at the dialogue on Sunday, Bamidele said diaspora voting rights would form part of the ongoing constitution review.

    ernors of the 36 states and Speakers of the State Houses of Assembly to ensure the passage of the Bill into law.

    Also at the dialogue, the Director of Diaspora and International Affairs, Office of the Senate Leader, Ms. Shade Adepeju-Joseph, said the time had come when diaspora matters should take the centre stage in all meaningful conversations on national progress and development.

    Adepeju-Joseph noted that such conversations should be centred mostly on diaspora voting and the prospect of legislative intervention in bringing it to reality.

  • Senate considers diaspora voting this week, says Bamidele

    Senate considers diaspora voting this week, says Bamidele

    Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has informed that the Red Chamber will consider the diaspora voting rights this week as part of the ongoing review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

    He made the disclosure at a virtual diaspora dialogue at the weekend organised by the Directorate  of Diaspora and International Affairs, Office of the Senate Leader in collaboration with Engage Diaspora Foundation and  Nigeria Diaspora Foundation.

    According to a statement by the office of the Senate Leader in Abuja, Bamidele pointed out the resolve of the National Assembly to reconsider the diaspora voting rights and other related issues affecting Nigeria in the diaspora.

    The Senate Leader two weeks ago sponsored a motion aimed at reviewing the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

    But at the dialogue on Sunday, Bamidele said diaspora voting rights would form part of the ongoing constitution review.

    He said: “Let me tell you some good news. Not that we are trying to bring the bill back, the bill is already on the floor of the 10th Senate. Exactly two weeks ago, we had the first reading of the bill. It has already been scheduled for second reading.

    Read Also: Diaspora voting: Bamidele leads discussions at forum 

    “Definitely, as the Leader of the Senate, I can assure you that we will consider the second reading of the bill this week. After this stage, it will be referred to the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.

    “As it presently is, the constitution review committee is chaired by the Deputy President of the Senate. As the leader of the Senate, I am the Vice Chairman. You can be rest assured that I am with you in this effort.

    “I see this fight as a generational fight. It is about your children. It is also about ensuring greater inclusion in our electoral process. We cannot be interested in what is coming from you, but deny your right to vote.

    “Diaspora voting is a right that must be recognised in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. After the passage of the bill, it will be taken to the House of Representatives for concurrence.”

    After the concurrence by the House of Representatives, the Senate Leader explained that the bill would be transmitted to the State Houses of Assembly and two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly must approve to become effective.

    Bamidele, therefore, challenged the stakeholders to engage governors of the 36 states of the federation and Speakers of the State Houses of Assembly to ensure the passage of the bill into law.

    Also, at the dialogue, the Director of Diaspora and International Affairs, Office of the Senate Leader, Ms. Shade Adepeju-Joseph said the time was now ripe when diaspora matters should take a centre stage in all meaningful conversations on national progress and development.

    Adepeju-Joseph noted that such conversations should be centred mostly on diaspora voting and the prospect of legislative intervention in bringing it to reality.