Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has described the controversy surrounding the suspension of a fellow senator as one of the lowest moments of the current National Assembly, saying it significantly distracted the Senate from its core legislative responsibilities.
As the 10th Senate marks its third anniversary, Bamidele, while speaking in Abuja and reflecting on the performance of the chamber over the past three years, said public attention had at one point shifted away from legislative business to debates over the suspension of a senator and criticisms of how the matter was handled.
According to him, the controversy created an impression of disunity within the chamber and raised concerns about institutional cohesion, as well as the handling of gender-related issues.
“There was a period when the focus of the public was no longer on the work we were doing as lawmakers but on the suspension of a senator and the controversies that followed.
That was one of the lowest moments for the Senate because it distracted attention from our constitutional responsibilities,” he said.
Bamidele noted that the development overshadowed several legislative initiatives and oversight functions undertaken by the Senate to promote good governance and national development.
Despite the challenges, the Senate Leader maintained that the 10th Senate has recorded significant achievements since its inauguration in June 2023, particularly in advancing economic reforms and strengthening key sectors of the economy.
He highlighted the passage of tax reform legislation as one of the Senate’s major accomplishments, describing the reforms as transformative measures capable of boosting government revenue and expanding Nigeria’s non-oil economy.
According to him, the Senate has also worked closely with the executive arm of government to review and amend laws affecting critical sectors, including banking, finance, foreign exchange management, and national security.
Bamidele further cited his sponsorship of the legislation that restored Nigeria’s former national anthem as one of the landmark laws enacted during the life of the current Senate.
He added that lawmakers have also intervened through legislation in agriculture, education, and healthcare to promote national development and improve service delivery to citizens.
On his personal legislative record, Bamidele disclosed that he has sponsored more than 70 bills since the inauguration of the 10th Senate, noting that more than half of the proposed legislation were private member bills.
He said several of the bills have led to the establishment of new federal tertiary institutions across the country, including universities dedicated to agriculture, technology, and development studies.
Bamidele expressed confidence that the reforms and legislative interventions championed by the 10th Senate would leave a lasting legacy on governance, economic growth, and national development.
“As we mark three years of the 10th Senate, we are confident that many of the reforms we have initiated and the laws we have enacted will continue to positively impact governance and contribute to the nation’s development for years to come,” he said.
He reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to supporting policies and legislation that would strengthen democratic institutions, improve economic performance, and enhance the welfare of Nigerians.
