Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (MOB) for Senate President

The 10th Assembly of the Senate no doubt will be inaugurated later this year with a number of quality representatives from the Southern region of the country out of whom the Senate President is likely to emerge, barring any surprises against the existing political permutations. As we approach this inauguration, it is important to elect individuals with a proven track record of leadership and excellence. Of all the crop of Senators from this region, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele towers high in credence, capacity and track record.

The incoming Assembly will be extremely lucky to have him as Senate President. He is a man of impeccable character, a distinguished lawmaker, and a leader of impeccable record and experience.

Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele is one such individual who possesses the necessary qualities to serve as Senate President of the National Assembly at this point in time in the history of Nigeria. His contributions to the legislative process in Nigeria have been outstanding. He has a proven track record of delivering quality representation to his constituents and promoting legislative excellence. His wealth of experience, competence, and diligence make him a perfect fit for the position of Senate President.

As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Bamidele has played a critical role in advancing the cause of justice and human rights in Nigeria. He has also championed several bills that have had a direct impact on the lives of Nigerians, including the Whistle blower Protection Bill, the Family Support Trust Fund Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, and the National Human Rights Commission Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, among others.
Senator Bamidele has a wealth of experience in both the legislative and executive arms of government, and his leadership and contributions to the Senate have been invaluable. In this manifesto, we will highlight his key strengths and achievements and why he is the best candidate for the position of Senate President.

Background and Qualifications
Senator Bamidele is a distinguished legal practitioner, a seasoned politician, and a visionary leader. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Benin, Nigeria, and a Master’s degree in Law from Franklin Pierce University, USA. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1992 and the New York Bar in 1999. He is also a notary public of the State of New Hampshire, USA, and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Nigeria.

Leadership Experience
Senator Bamidele’s leadership experience spans across both the legislative and executive arms of government. He served as Commissioner for Youths, Sports, and Social Development in Lagos State from 2003-2007 under the then Governor Bola Tinubu, now President-Elect and later as Commissioner for Information and Strategy under Governor Babatunde Fashola from 2007-2011. During his tenure as Commissioner for Information and Strategy, he established the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB), which facilitated the effective and technology-driven documentation of state activities.

He also launched the Lagos State Television (LTV) frequency on DSTV, making it the first state-owned television station in Nigeria to be launched on global satellite.
In 2011, Senator Bamidele was elected as a member of the House of Representatives in the 7th National Assembly. He was appointed Chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Budget and Research, and was a member of several other committees including Education, Judiciary, Constitution Review, Housing and Habitat, State and Local Government Matters.
In 2015, he contested for the gubernatorial elections in Ekiti State and emerged as the candidate of the Labour Party (LP). He also served as a consultant to the House of Representatives Special Committee on the review of the Nigerian Constitution.

In February 2019, he was elected as a member of the current National Assembly and appointed Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters. He is also the Chairman of the Southern Senators Forum and a member of several other committees including Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions; Power; and Interior.

Key Achievements
Senator Bamidele has sponsored and co-sponsored several bills that have had a positive impact on Nigerians. Some of these bills include:
1. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2019: Senator Bamidele sponsored this bill which sought to amend the Nigerian Constitution in several areas including the establishment of state and community police, the removal of the age limit for presidential candidates, and the devolution of powers to states.
2. FCT Customary Court Act (Amendment Bill), 2020: This bill seeks to amend the FCT Customary Court Act to increase the jurisdiction of customary courts in the FCT to enable them to handle more civil and criminal cases.
3. Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020: This bill seeks to amend the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act to increase the percentage of funds allocated to tertiary institutions
Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele is a man who has always been dedicated to the service of his constituents and Nigeria as a whole. Through his achievements in the National Assembly, he has demonstrated his commitments to making Nigeria a better place for all. His sponsorship of bills that have positively impacted the lives of Nigerians, as well as his facilitation of various projects and initiation of programs and schemes in Ekiti State are clear evidence of his capability and dedication to service.
As Senate President, Senator Bamidele will continue to leverage his expertise and experience to promote policies and programs that will positively impact Nigerians and move the country forward.
EDUCATION: Education is one of the most crucial sectors in the development of any nation, and Nigeria is no exception. It is saddening to note that Nigeria’s education sector is in dire need of intervention, and this is evident in the inadequate facilities, shortage of qualified teachers, and a lack of government commitment to the sector’s development.
Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele has always been a strong advocate for quality education, and he has demonstrated this through his sponsorship of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020. If elected as Senate President of the 10th Assembly, he will work towards enacting laws that will further strengthen the education sector, including increasing funding, improving teacher training, and providing better facilities. He will also push for policies that will promote equal access to education for all, regardless of their socio-economic background.
HEALTH: The health sector in Nigeria is faced with numerous challenges, including inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, and a lack of access to quality healthcare services in many parts of the country. These challenges have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has stretched the sector’s already limited resources.
Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele recognizes the importance of a healthy population in the development of any nation. He has demonstrated his commitment to the sector by sponsoring the Federal University of Health and Medical Sciences, Iyin-Ekiti Establishment Bill, 2021. If elected as Senate President of the 10th Assembly, he will work towards enacting laws that will address the sector’s challenges, including increasing funding, strengthening healthcare systems, and improving access to healthcare services. He will also push for policies that will promote preventive healthcare and ensure that healthcare services are available to all Nigerians.
INFRASTRUCTURE: The state of infrastructure in Nigeria is a major impediment to the country’s economic growth and development. Inadequate infrastructure in roads, power supply, and other areas hampers the country’s ability to attract foreign investment, which is critical for economic growth.
Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele recognizes the importance of infrastructure development and has demonstrated this through his sponsorship of bills such as the Federal Savings Bank Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2020. If elected as Senate President of the 10th Assembly, he will work towards enacting laws that will address the infrastructure deficit in the country, including increasing funding for infrastructure development, improving the regulatory framework, and promoting private sector investment in infrastructure development.
CORRUPTION: Corruption is one of the biggest impediments to Nigeria’s development, and it is a cancer that has eaten deep into the fabric of the country. It is estimated that corruption costs the country billions of dollars annually and has hindered the country’s ability to attract foreign investment.
Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele has always been a strong advocate for transparency and accountability in government. He has demonstrated this through his sponsorship of bills such as the Whistle blower Protection Bill, 2021. If elected as Senate President of the 10th Assembly, he will work towards enacting laws that will address corruption in the country, including strengthening anti-corruption agencies, promoting transparency and accountability in government, and promoting a culture of integrity.
EMPLOYMENT: Unemployment is one of the most pressing challenges facing Nigeria today. The country’s youth unemployment rate is one of the highest in the world, and this has led to social unrest and a host of other problems.
Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele recognizes the importance of job creation in the country’s economic growth and development. He has demonstrated this through his sponsorship of bills such as the Public Private Partnership Bill, 2021. If elected as Senate President of the 10th assembly, he will work with other lawmakers to ensure that there is an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, which will lead to the creation of more job opportunities for Nigerians. He will also champion policies that support the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as they are critical to the nation’s economic development. Senator Bamidele believes that a vibrant private sector is key to reducing the unemployment rate and improving the standard of living of Nigerians. He will work with other senators to create legislative frameworks that will attract foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country, as this will boost economic activities and create more jobs.
Furthermore, Sen. Bamidele has been a staunch advocate for youth empowerment and has championed several initiatives aimed at providing opportunities for the younger generation. He believes that the future of our nation rests on the shoulders of the youth, and as such, it is important to invest in their education and create an enabling environment for them to thrive.
Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele is a man who has always been dedicated to the service of his constituents and Nigeria as a whole. Through his achievements in the National Assembly, he has demonstrated his commitment to making Nigeria a better place for all. His sponsorships of bills that have positively impacted the lives of Nigerians, as well as his facilitation of various projects and initiation of programs and schemes in Ekiti State, are clear evidences of his capability and dedication to service. Through various empowerment schemes, he has provided scholarships to indigent students across the country and has supported many bright young minds to achieve their dreams of obtaining a quality education, and in turn, contribute to the development of the nation.
As Senate President of the 10th Assembly, Sen. Bamidele will use his position to further advocate for the youth and ensure that policies and laws that will positively impact their lives are put in place.
In addition, Sen. Bamidele has also been a strong voice for the rights of women in the country. He has advocated for gender equality and has championed several initiatives aimed at promoting the rights of women and girls. As Senate President, he will continue this advocacy and ensure that the rights of women are protected and promoted in all spheres of life.
Sen. Bamidele is a man of integrity, and his record of service to the people of Ekiti State and Nigeria at large speaks for itself. He is a leader who is passionate about the development of his constituents and the country as a whole, and he has demonstrated this through his actions over the years.
With his wealth of experience, passion for service and commitment to the development of the country, Sen. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele is the best candidate for the position of Senate President of the incoming Assembly.

-Victor Alade writes from Akure, Ondo State