Senator Bamidele shares insights into the lobbying efforts that helped pass the South West Development Commission bill. Find out how the support was garnered.
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Leader, has highlighted how lawmakers from the South-West are actively working together to gain nationwide support for the South-West Development Commission (SWDC) Bill.
At an All Progressives Congress (APC) event held at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos over the weekend, Bamidele commended the South-West APC lawmakers as a “formidable force” that has been instrumental in fostering stability and advancement within the National Assembly.
At the assembly, he stressed the need to establish a South-West Assembly to facilitate ongoing dialogue among regional stakeholders.
Bamidele emphasized the joint efforts of the South-West Caucus and federal lawmakers from various regions to ensure the SWDC Bill’s passage in the Senate.
He highlighted that the South-West Caucus holds significant influence, with 15 of the 18 regional senators representing the APC, making it the largest group of APC senators in the National Assembly.
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The senator emphasized that creating the SWDC was both essential and equitable, given that other regions already enjoy the advantages of similar commissions.
He commended the teamwork displayed by all South West National Assembly members, transcending party affiliations, in backing the bill. Bamidele mentioned, “We are now awaiting approval from the House of Representatives before it proceeds to the President for signature. Our achievement highlights our dedication to unity for improving our community.”
Alongside the SWDC Bill, Bamidele revealed that the federal government has approved plans to dualize the Ado-Ekiti-Ikere-Akoko road. This project will connect Ekiti State with the Federal Capital Territory through Ondo, Edo, and Kogi States. Additionally, he highlighted the ongoing construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway—a significant 700-kilometer endeavor aimed at boosting regional economic prospects.
He praised the South West Caucus for its steadfast support during challenging times, reaffirming its role as a stabilizing force in the Senate. He emphasized their dedication to both the leadership of the National Assembly and President Tinubu’s reform agenda.
Bamidele emphasized that the Southwest Assembly should serve as an ongoing platform for collaboration among APC stakeholders, fostering unity and aligning both regional and national development objectives.
He also recognized the importance of the collaborative relationship between South-West governors and National Assembly members in advancing their shared agenda.
In conclusion, Bamidele reaffirmed the South-West APC Caucus’s dedication to President Bola Tinubu’s initiatives. He pledged to work diligently towards achieving growth, peace, and progress in Nigeria while building upon the legacy of their predecessors for future generations.
