Senate Leader: Yoruba elders lobby APC, Tinubu for Bamidele

As intense lobbies for the positions of principal officers continue after the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, the Yoruba Council of Leaders, YCL, has appealed to the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC and President Bola Tinubu to consider Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele as the Senate Majority Leader.

In a communique released after their meeting held weekend in Ibadan, Oyo State, the South West leaders of thought also congratulated Senator Godswill Akpabio for his emergence as the President of the 10th Senate.

The communique signed by the YCL President, Dr. Olusola Omokehinde, and made available to our correspondent in Abuja, commended President Tinubu, the APC national chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and other leaders of the party for recognizing the importance of equitable power distribution across geo-political zones as a means to promote inclusive governance and democratic integration in Nigeria.

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Omokehinde emphasized the need for the zoning of the Senate Majority Leader to the South West region, specifically highlighting the candidacy of Senator Bamidele from Ekiti State.

He said: “The Yoruba Council of Leaders believes that this position is well-deserved for the South West l, considering that Ekiti State was the first to secure victory for the APC during the Presidential election, gaining over 70% of the total votes cast in the state.

“Agreed the South West region has produced the nation’s president, it should not be deprived of other important positions.

“Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele is by character and experience fit for the role of Senate Leader.

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“No doubt, Opeyemi is imbued with vast political experience as a former member of the House of Representatives in the 8th Assembly and a current member of the Senate in the 9th Assembly, where he chairs the Judiciary Committee with an impeccable record and strong commitment to the party’s principles and ideology. Hence, he is unhesitatingly fit for the job.”

During the meeting, other members of the Council, including Mrs. Akomolafe Tolani (Secretary) and Mr. Bayode Aina (Public Relations Officer), spoke about the need to nominate Senator Bamidele as the next Senate Leader.

The South West leaders described him as ‘Omoluabi” who is capable and will enhance the actualization of the Renewed Hope agenda of President Tinubu.

According to the group, Senator Bamidele, in collaboration with Ekiti State Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji mobilized support for the party in February 25, 2023 elections and ensured that the state delivered maximally to President Tinubu and “for fair and reciprocal reward system as the foundation for party’s prosperity, we demand for Senator Bamidele as the Senate Leader.”

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“The outstanding, cutting-edge performance of Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters and his remarkable role as the chairman, Southern Senators’ Forum during the 9th Senate had qualified him as the best lawmaker to occupy the position of the Senate Majority Leader in the 10th Senate,” they added. (Nigerian Pilot)