2024 Budget Debate: Senator Bamidele Pleads For Stability

Eko Hot Blog reports that in a pivotal session at the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District took the floor to address the ongoing 2024 budget discussions, urging his colleagues to focus on stability within the Senate and the equitable distribution of funds rather than individual personalities.

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Bamidele emphasized the importance of upholding the Senate’s rules and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, highlighting the pressing needs of the country’s citizens who are suffering from hunger and deprivation.

“All of us pass this budget, never about Mr President who signed this budget, it’s always about Akpabio. We have momentum, this is a defining moment for all of us to say if we are going to have stable senate, let’s have one,” he said.

The lawmaker accused senator of Abdul Ningi (leader of Northern) for misinforming Nigerians about money given to the senators, stressing that his apology before the house is unacceptable.

” We did not start this fight, senator Ningi do this to the public domain, standing here up to apologize here even after he repeated that some got 100 billion naira from this budget, some people got billion”

Let us do the right thing and I am saying as part of the leadership of this senate. I am not bothered, I was going through online just as this is going on, it is trending now that every senator got 500 million”, he argued.

Drawing attention away from regional divides at the 2024 budget budget, Bamidele stressed the significance of adhering to parliamentary protocols and serving the interests of the Nigerian people. He candidly expressed concerns about the potential consequences of ignoring these principles, warning of potential challenges to the presidency.

The senator said “it’s not about North and South, it is about our rules, it is about the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is about our people who are hungry and deprived”.

Citing historical precedents, he underscored the rarity of Senate leadership opportunities for certain regions, particularly the South South, urging his colleagues to consider the broader implications of their decisions.

“I want Nigerians to know, I say for history, the last time the people of the South South had a chance to senate President was over 40 years ago, the last time the entire people of the South had a chance to be Senate President was during Obasanjo regime when he went to the South East”

Five people were elected because they were in quick succession but as he left the South, he had peace and stability again. We were always cooperative, David Mark spent 8 years, Senator Ahmed Lawan spent 4 years, peaceful 4 years. Saraki even with all he did spent 4 years, he was not impeached,” he argued.

Amidst allegations and controversies surrounding budget allocations, Bamidele pleaded with his fellow senators to prioritize transparency and accountability, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling their duties to their constituents.

“My appeal to Nigerians is not about what was said here today because I’m not going to deny that we have 12 months to implement 2024 budget. Let every Nigerians wait to see whether there is any of these senators who will not bring enough boreholes, enough solar street lights, enough road constructions and other projects, and empowerment that will be up to 500 Million,” Bamidele said.