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Tag: Senator Opeyemi Bamidele

  • Bamidele slams opposition over ‘rubber-stamp’ label, defends NASS’ independence

    Bamidele slams opposition over ‘rubber-stamp’ label, defends NASS’ independence

    …says NASS, FG held 39 meetings before passage of Tax Reform Bills

    Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has strongly criticised key opposition parties for branding the National Assembly a rubber-stamp institution, saying such claims are baseless and unsupported by facts.

    Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central, argued that the legislative body’s rigorous engagements with the executive, including over 39 meetings to resolve contentious areas in the 2024 Tax Reform Bills, clearly prove its independence and commitment to due process.

    This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Office of the Senate Leader, highlighting the various interventions made by the National Assembly in the public interest.

    The statement noted that since its inauguration on June 13, 2023, the National Assembly has adopted a strategy of constructive engagement and collaboration to resolve complex national challenges while safeguarding Nigeria’s core interests.

    Despite its non-adversarial approach to the legislative business, the parliament has been under sustained public criticisms with leading opposition parties, especially the Peoples Democracy Party, Labour Party and New Nigeria Peoples Party describing it as a rubber-stamp legislative institution. 

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    Amid the public criticisms, Bamidele differed with the opposition parties that the National Assembly was still a rubber stamp to the executive, noting that the claim had no justification.

    Bamidele first cited the case of the Tax Reform Bills, 2024, which he said, were initiated in November 2024, but finally scaled through legislative scrutiny six months after they were laid before the National Assembly.

    He argued, “If we are actually a rubber-stamp parliamentary institution as most opposition political parties have claimed, the bills would have been passed within one week or two weeks after they were laid before us.

    “In the process of passing the bills, both executive and legislative arms held over 39 engagements to trash grey areas in the Tax Reform Bills, 2024 before both chambers of the National Assembly eventually passed the bills.

    “During this period, the engagements involved diverse interests and stakeholders across the federation. The tax reform bills could have been rushed within one or two weeks. But it took us six months to secure input from all critical stakeholders – civil society organisations, professional bodies, religious leaders and leaders of thoughts.

    “The process includes all behind-the-scenes efforts, closed door meetings and subtle disagreements that took place between the legislature and the executive before their passage. We also organised public hearings just to accommodate inputs from diverse interests.

    “We extended our engagements to all captains of industries to enable us pass the tax reform bills that will stand the test of time; meet the needs of our people and ensure the overriding public interest in the exercise of our constitutional mandates.

    “At the end of it, we found a way of resolving all issues around the tax reform bills in the overriding public interest. But people do not know all the efforts and sacrifices we made to ensure the effective delivery of public goods. They were only eager to label us a rubber stamp when the bills came from the executive.”

    Rather than grandstanding on the floors, Bamidele explained that the National Assembly at different times invited the Executive for engagement with a view to thrashing out grey areas in the bills.

    He, also, cited the case of the 2025 Appropriation Act, which according to him, was laid before the joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, 18th December 2024, but passed on February 13, 2025.

    He explained that if the National Assembly was actually a rubber stamp, it could have hastened the passage of the 2025 Appropriation Bills by the end of the 2024 fiscal year in order to sustain the January to December budget cycle, which had become the country’s practice in recent times.

    “We did not give the budget back to the executive until February 2025. We did a lot of due diligence. Every committee of the National Assembly duly engaged heads of agencies to properly scrutinise the budget also in the overriding public interest.

    “We are working in the interest of the people. We are always taking into consideration the need to ensure good governance in all our undertakings and the need to use legislative frameworks to promote good governance in the federation,” Bamidele explained.

  • Bamidele launches free medical outreach in Ekiti

    Bamidele launches free medical outreach in Ekiti

    The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has launched free medical health outreach for the people of Ekiti Central Senatorial District.

    The weeklong outreach, which began on Monday at Iyin-Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government, was organised in partnership with Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ekiti State chapter.

    Speaking with reporters at the event that attracted large crowd of constituents, Bamidele said the free medical intervention was strategic in helping his constituents understand their health status and to offer free treatments for those diagnosed with hidden ailments.

    Bamidele, represented by his Senior Legislative Aide, Gbenga Banji, said the initiative was aimed at improving the life expectancy of the populace and bringing the dividends of democracy closer to the people, regardless of age and status.

    The senator said the intervention would cover five local governments in his constituency to offer free medical services for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension, hepatitis, blood sugar tests, ante natal treatment, free eyeglasses and family planning counselling.

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    “Senator Bamidele has passed through various stages of life and understands the importance of giving back to the community. Many people in this district cannot afford medical treatment, leading to undiagnosed illnesses and, in some cases, sudden deaths.

    “This outreach is aimed at bringing health care services directly to the grassroots, so the people can enjoy the benefits of democracy. We are targeting as many people as possible across the five local governments in the senatorial district.”

    The Chairman of NMA, Ekiti State branch, Dr. Oreyemi Ifedayo, hailed the lawmaker for the initiative, noting that it would help people who were often burdened by out-of-pocket health care expenses and access to free medical care.

    The Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Adeola Ajakaye, lauded Senator Bamidele for launching the outreach in his hometown, describing it as a fitting initiative.

  • Bamidele: How we lobbied other lawmakers to pass South West Development Commission Bill

    Bamidele: How we lobbied other lawmakers to pass South West Development Commission Bill

    …Pledges APC South West Caucus’ support for Tinubu’s reform agenda

    The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has revealed how federal lawmakers from the southwest states lobbied their colleagues from other geo-political zones to pass the Bill for the establishment of the South West Development Commission (SWDC).

    He also pledged the continued support of the South West Caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform agenda.

    Bamidele, also the Leader of the South-west National Assembly Caucus, disclosed that lawmakers from the South-west APC “have been a formidable force, contributing significantly to the progress and stability of the National Assembly.”

    He made these remarks at the 2024 South-west Assembly of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Saturday where he suggested the need to institutionalise the assembly for regular and sustained interaction among stakeholders.

    At the regional assembly on Saturday, according to a statement from his directorate of media affairs, Bamidele explained how the South-west Caucus worked with federal lawmakers from other geo-political zones to secure majority support for the passage of the South West Development Commission Bill, 2024 at the red chamber

    Specifically, the senate leader highlighted the considerable influence of the Southwest Caucus in the 10th National Assembly, pointing out that out of the 18 senators from the geo-political zone, 15 are from the APC.

    “This figure,” according to him, “makes the South-west the largest single bloc of APC Senators in the Senate. This has given us considerable influence, and we have used it effectively for the good of our people.”

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    Bamidele further pointed out that the South-west Caucus in the National Assembly leveraged its considerable influence to ensure the successful passage of the South West Development Commission Bill.

    He noted that the push for the establishment of the SWDC was not just a necessity, but a matter of equity, as other regions have similar commissions in place, saying every member of the South West National Assembly caucus, regardless of party affiliation, worked together to ensure the passage of the bill in the Senate.

    Bamidele said: “We are now awaiting concurrence from the House of Representatives before transmitting it to the President for assent.

    “We recognise that our success is not limited to members of the APC alone. Our colleagues from other political parties have been just as committed to the success of our region.

    “This bill, and many others, remind us that when it comes to the development of our people, there is no room for division. We must continue to work together to achieve more.”

    Apart from the passage of the SWDC Bill, Bamidele revealed that the federal government had approved the dualistion of Ado-Ekiti-Ikere-Akoko road, a 31-kilometre highway that connects Ekiti State to Federal Capital Territory through Ondo, Edo and Kogi States.

    He also cited the ongoing construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a 700-kilometre project that will run from Victoria Island, Lagos to Calabar, Cross River, which according to him, would unlock limitless opportunities across the economic belt when completed.

    The highway, according to him, will pass through Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and terminate in Cross River.

    “The award of contract for the 258-kilometre three-lane carriageway, a component of the 1000-kilometre Sokoto/Badagry Superhighway will be a game changer not just for the South-west, but also for the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

    He, therefore, commended all members of the South West Caucus for their steadfastness during the process, noting that the unity in the rank of the caucus ensured that the geo-political zone did not lose out in the leadership dynamics of the 10th Assembly.

    “We have stood firmly with the leadership of the National Assembly, especially when plots were being hatched to bring the leadership to disrepute. We remained united behind the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and his Deputy, Jibrin Barau, even when there were unfounded allegations of budget padding.

    “The South West Caucus remains a stabilising force in the Senate. Our zone has also received fair recognition in the leadership of the Senate. I am honoured to serve as the Senate Leader, while in the House of Representatives, we occupy the Chief Whip’s seat and other high-ranking positions.

    “This extends to key committee leadership roles, which further amplifies our influence in national decision-making,” the senate leader reeled out the achievements of the caucus with admiration.

    He noted that the South West Caucus “has remained committed to President Tinubu’s reform agenda, particularly in the areas of security and economic recovery.

    “We gave expeditious attention to the screening of the President’s nominees for various political positions, demonstrating our collective desire for the quick implementation of his transformative policies. We will continue to support his reforms as he steers the country towards prosperity and stability.”

    He warned that the South-west Assembly should not be a one-off, recommending the need to institutionalise the platform for regular interaction between APC stakeholders at both the legislative and executive levels.

    “Such meetings,” according to the senate leader, “will strengthen our unity and help us align our goals for the good of the region and the country.”

    He equally commended the cordial relationship between the South-west governors and members of the National Assembly from the South West.

    Bamidele said this cooperation “is key to the success of our shared agenda for development. Let us continue to foster this relationship and work together for the greater good.”

    He further pledged the continued support of the South West APC Caucus “to President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda. We will work tirelessly to support him and our party at all levels, ensuring that we leave a legacy of growth, peace, and progress in Nigeria.

    “Let us remain steadfast and united as we build on the foundation laid by our predecessors and chart a path of continued success for our people and future generations,” Bamidele said.

  • Senate panel and petroleum sector probe

    Senate panel and petroleum sector probe

    Can the 15-man Senate investigative panel chaired by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele break the jinx on persistent stillbirth outcomes of past probes into corruption and sabotage in the petroleum industry by identifying the culprits and ensuring that they are held accountable for their nefarious activities? In this report, SANNI ONOGU outlines the issues at stake.

    The upper legislative chamber, the Senate, has historically set up investigative panels to address corruption in the petroleum sector. In 2012, the Senate set up a committee to probe the then-fuel subsidy regime. The committee investigated the subsidy regime and revealed widespread corruption and inefficiencies. Its recommendations included improved transparency and accountability in subsidy payments. However, many of its findings were not acted upon, leading to public scepticism about governmental reforms.

    In 2016, a Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on the Petroleum Industry was constituted. This committee focused on the operations of the then Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), now Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Bill. It recommended the restructuring of the NNPC for better efficiency.

    The effectiveness of previous Senate panels in addressing corruption in the petroleum sector has been mixed, with many recommendations failing to lead to substantial reforms or accountability.

    Overall, while these panels highlighted significant issues within the petroleum sector, the implementation of their recommendations has frequently been inconsistent, leading to ongoing challenges in governance and accountability in the oil industry.

    Findings show that previous Senate probes in the nation’s petroleum sector have been marked by notable controversies, often questioning the integrity and effectiveness of the investigations due to some or all the following reasons.

    Credibility issues: The Senate has faced criticism for conducting “wishy-washy” probes that fail to yield meaningful outcomes. Allegations of complicity among senators involved in the investigations have raised doubts about their commitment to accountability, leading to public scepticism about the integrity of the process.

    Failed Probes of the 7th Senate: The 7th Senate was criticized for its numerous failed probes, which included investigations into various corruption scandals. These probes often lacked follow-through, resulting in little to no action taken against those implicated, further undermining public trust in the Senate’s oversight capabilities.

    Political Interference: Investigations have sometimes been perceived as politically motivated, with allegations that probes were initiated to target political opponents rather than to genuinely address corruption. This has led to accusations that the Senate uses probes as a tool for political manoeuvring rather than for accountability.

    These controversies have contributed to a general perception that Senate probes are often ineffective in addressing corruption within the petroleum sector, with many recommendations going unimplemented and little accountability for those involved in corrupt practices.

    The latest probe, led by the Majority Leader of the Senate, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, is aimed to investigate economic sabotage and the importation of toxic fuels. The Senate set up the Ad-Hoc Committee to “investigate the alleged economic sabotage in the Nigerian Petroleum Industry”.

    Bamidele said, at a press conference recently, that the creation of the ad-hoc committee became necessary after an extensive debate on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, following a motion on Alleged Economic Sabotage in the Petroleum Industry sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South) with a clear mandate.

    Bamidele said: “It will interest you to note that during debate on the motion, senators in their contributions expressed dismay and described it as economic sabotage and a clear failure of the government statutory agencies charged with the responsibility of safeguarding the nation’s economic interest, to live up to their expectations. Hence, an ad-hoc committee was constituted to conduct a comprehensive investigation into all the prayers and report to the Senate within three weeks.”

    The terms of reference of the committee, according to him, include to: “Examine the pre-shipment and pre-discharge standard test parameters adopted by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority to uncover loopholes, if any, being exploited to get toxic cargoes into the country; determine the level of compliance of the NNPCL’s Direct Sale and Direct Purchase (DSP) arrangements in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, including the extent of transparency and accountability in the industry;

    “Beam legislative searchlight on the activities of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), including payments made to transporters in the last 10 years; enquire from the NNPCL the state/status of the 22 depots built by the defunct NNPC to eliminate road distribution of petroleum products; engage with stakeholders within the oil and gas industry to identify possible gaps in regulating and strengthening the surveillance and monitoring structures in place to enable Nigeria to detect violations of best practice standards in the importation of products before they enter into the domestic supply chains;

    “Also engage with the NNPCL to understand the extent of its determination and timelines for the start-up of government-funded oil refineries; investigate how institutions across the importation and distribution chain failed to conduct quality sampling, shipped in products without auditing, and performed port validations by the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON); the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); and such other consequential amendments the ad-hoc committee deems fit.”

    Members of the Committee are Senators Asuquo Ekpenyong, Abdullahi Yahaya, Nohammed Monguno, Solomon Adeola, Diket Plang, Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Khabeeb Mustapha, Adams Oshiomhole, Jonah Eteng, Adetokunbo Abiru, Osita Izunaso, Sahabi Ya’u Alhaji, Abdul Ningi and Ifeanyi Ubah (now late).

    Bamidele, in his address, said the panel is determined to do a thorough job irrespective of widespread scepticism and vowed to expose saboteurs in the nation’s petroleum sector and those responsible for the importation of toxic fuels into the country. He added: “We are taking this task seriously to address fundamental issues that pose grave threats to our economic prosperity, fiscal stability and public health as a federation.

    “In line with our mandate, we will unravel the roots of economic sabotage in Nigeria’s petroleum industry and make necessary recommendations that will entrench global best practices in the industry and open it up for more investments, especially in the midstream and downstream sectors. We are utterly committed to this mandate. We shall also carry out this national assignment without fear or favour. We shall be fair and just to all parties to promote the strategic national interests of our fatherland.”

    Bamidele said the assignment of the Ad-Hoc Committee bordered on the alleged economic sabotage in the petroleum industry, “including the recent accusations and counter of importation of petroleum products into the country.” He said: “We are all aware that the Petroleum industry has been on the front burner of public discourse since the creation of this Ad-Hoc Committee, as regulators and industry players continue to make one accusation or the other on various issues relating to the general operations of the Petroleum Industry.

    “Hence, the need for this press conference to educate the general public on the mandates, workings, and, of course, the modalities adopted by the Ad-Hoc Committee to carry out this assignment.”

    He said in the course of interactions with the identified stakeholders, the committee would visit any of their facilities that it deems necessary, “especially the state-owned refineries, to ascertain their status, considering the huge funds already invested in their various Turn-Around-Maintenances – year in, year out – without any meaningful result.

    He added: “The committee, along with Nigerians, is particularly interested in understanding why local refineries are not working despite the substantial amounts of money spent annually on their maintenance and operations. We will closely examine what the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has been doing to address this persistent problem.

    “Additionally, the Committee will meet with stakeholders in their various zones to gather localized insights and feedback. To ensure broad participation and transparency, the Committee will create a platform for the general public and stakeholders to submit memoranda before the public hearings.”

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    He added: “Our investigation seeks to identify and hold accountable parties involved in the importation and distribution of adulterated Petroleum Products (PMS and AGO). This includes suppliers, importers, regulatory bodies, and any other entities that may have contributed to this serious lapse in quality control. We will conduct a thorough review of current regulatory frameworks and procedures to identify deficiencies and recommend necessary reforms to prevent such occurrences in the future. The Committee is committed to ensuring the highest standards of fuel quality for the Nigerian market.

    “The public hearing will be held from September 10 to 12, 2024. The sessions will enable us to engage directly with key actors in the petroleum industry and unravel those behind the illicit practice of importing hazardous and substandard petroleum products into the country contrary to established protocols and standards. After the public hearing, the committee will go into close sessions during which we consider all the submissions from the key actors, draft our report and the eventual adoption of the report.”

    In their separate remarks at the press briefing, all the members of the committee vowed to unravel the rot in the sector and declared that it would no longer be business as usual. They said their integrity is at stake and that there would be no room for sacred cows, declaring “that warrant of arrest would be issued on any head of agency who refuses to honour invitation for appearance.”

    Bamidele has expressed a commitment to thoroughness and accountability, indicating a potential shift from previous efforts that often fell short of desired expectations. However, the effectiveness of this inquiry will depend on the execution of its recommendations and the political will to enforce them.

    In his reaction to questions asked by reporters bordering on inconclusive investigations or non-implementation of recommendations of similar Senate panels in the past, Bamidele said the committee will do its duty in overriding public interest by ensuring that the investigation was far-reaching, conclusive and appropriate recommendations made to the Senate for onward transmission to the executive for implementation.

    His words: “Well, gentlemen of the press, you have heard from us, jointly. In rounding up, let me severally now say that we heard you loud and clear. Your questions sunk into us as echoes of the popular concerns of Nigerians. Your scepticism is the scepticism of Nigerians. Your worries represent the worries of Nigeria that are bleeding everywhere you turn, and that is asking if someone or some people just stand up and stop this bleeding that I’m going through, and that’s our driving force.

    “Are we going to do anything differently? My colleagues have spoken and you have heard from them. So I have answered your question. The only thing I need to add is that during the tenure of the 6th, 7th and 8th Assembly that you referred to, there was no Petroleum Industry Act. So things were done within the whims and caprices of those involved. Today we have a law based on which this investigation will be carried out. Note also that Nigerians through you had similar concerns when in the 9th Senate we told you we would pass the Petroleum Industry Bill and several people said to us, ‘You are not the first National Assembly that will want to pass this Bill.’

    “They told us about the effort that had been made in the previous three assemblies, spanning at least 12 years. But with commitment and resolve, we gave the assurance and with commitment and resolve by God’s grace, we worked around the clock and today we have a Petroleum Industry Act. What are you going to do if they don’t show up? Again, that has been addressed. Our laws give us powers. It’s for us to choose either to use such powers to order arrests and compel attendance at our proceedings or for us to choose not to use the power. We will do what we have to do in the public interest.

    “But those who were invited before and did not come, it wasn’t for lack of the authority to compel them. Those who invited them would be the ones to explain why they chose not to compel attendance. So, we want to assure you that we don’t entertain any fear of anyone turning down our invitation.

    “On behalf of the committee, let me also assure you that it is not our intention to grandstand. We will do what is consistent with global best practices, expectations and standards. Where we need to hold closed-door sessions, we will do that. Where we need to open our sessions to public viewing, we will do that. So be rest assured that we’ll do what we consider to be in overriding public interest.

    “Will the committee have the courage to name violators at the end of the day, even if they are senators? As far as we are concerned, as you have been told, we are a subcommittee of the Committee of the Whole and our report is going to the Senate. If and where we find it necessary, we have been told that we will do this without fear or favour under Senator Godswill Akpabio. We are all servants of the same master, the master being the government and people of Nigeria.

    “Issues of conflict between Dangote group and regulators were also raised in one of the questions you raised. Well, these are issues within the industry. Our mandate is to investigate the entire industry and that’s what we will do. So, the ongoing accusations and counter-accusations are among the issues we have been mandated to look into, and we will do that. I believe, to a very reasonable extent, we have addressed your concerns, and what is left is just for me to assure you that by the grace of God, we will do our best and not delve too much into the past we have been told. Remember the saying that our past was only a story told, our future can yet be written in gold.”

    Can the 15-man Senate investigative panel chaired by Bamidele break the jinx on persistent stillbirth outcomes from past probes into corruption and sabotage in the petroleum industry by identifying the culprits and ensuring they are held accountable for their nefarious activities? The outcome remains to be seen, but the Bamidele-led panel’s commitment to transparency is a positive shift from past investigations that often fell short of delivering actionable results.