Senate leader, Dr. Opeyemi Bamidele, who is representing Ekiti Central at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly has insisted that an alleged ignoble statement being credited to him was not only unfounded, false but spurious, saying he remained an apostle of regionalism and good governance.
According to him, he had not only supported political ideology which sought to increase political power, influence and self-determination of the people of one or more subnational regions but good governance that guaranteed realisation of human rights in a manner essentially free of abuse and corruption and due regard for the rule of law.
Bamidele, whose antecedents and views were opinionated through one of his constituency members, Mr. Abiodun Borisade from Ijero LGA insisted that he knew nothing about a claim of dumping bill for regionalism being bandied by his detractors in the media space, describing it as ingenious compared to his various contributions to democracy since 1999 when Nigeria’s democracy began.
Some faceless groups, had said that the Senate Leader had done nothing “to promote Yoruba interest despite riding on the crest of Yoruba agitation to climb the political ladder.”
But Bamidele the alleged claim negated his contributions to democracy and what he stood for, saying it was nothing but a campaign of calumny against him.
Bamidele said: “No true Nigerian who witnessed, read about the positive growth and infrastructural development that took place during the regional period of our time would say that such era should not be re-visited.
“So, I as a true Yoruba son also believe in the successes that were brought about when we had western region, the roads, free education and the general development.
“So, regionalism has its advantages, and if today such a proposal was to be brought up, of course we will not turn our eyes and say that there is no positive to regionalism.
“So, if I am to be questioned I think I would say that we should adopt the positive form of regionalism and blend it with current and the extant law of today so that we can get the best of both sides.
“I think that is the way any true progressive will reason it out.”
