How we work hard to convince other lawmakers to pass SWDC Bill 

The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, says the federal lawmakers from the South-West states work hard to convince their colleagues from other geo-political zones to pass the Bill for the establishment of the South West Development Commission.

Bamidele, also the Leader of the South-west National Assembly Caucus, added that lawmakers from the South-West APC had become a formidable force to the progress  and stability of the National Assembly.”

He spoke at the 2024 South-west Assembly of the All Progressives Congress at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Saturday, suggesting that there was the need to  institutionalise the APC assembly for regular and sustained interaction among stakeholders.

Bamidele said the South-West Caucus worked with federal lawmakers from other geo-political zones to secure majority support for the passage of the South West Development Commission Bill, 2024 at the upper chamber

The senate leader pointed out that out of the 18 senators from the South-West, 15 are from the APC.

“This figure makes the South-West the largest single bloc of the APC senators in the Senate. This has given us considerable influence, and we have used it effectively for the good of our people,” he added.

Bamidele noted that the push for the establishment of the SWDC was not just a necessity, but a matter of equity, as other regions have similar commissions in place, saying every member of the South-West National Assembly, regardless of party affiliation, worked together to ensure this passage of the bill in the Senate.

He said, “We are now awaiting concurrence from the House of Representatives before transmitting it to the President for assent. We recognise that our success is not limited to members of the APC alone. Our colleagues from other political parties have been just as committed to the success of our region.

“This bill, and many others, remind us that when it comes to the development of our people, there is no room for division. We must continue to work together to achieve more”.

Apart from the passage of the 2024 SWDC Bill, Bamidele said the Federal Government had approved the dualisation of Ado-Ekiti-Ikere-Akoko Road, which connects Ekiti State to Federal Capital Territory through Ondo, Edo and Kogi states.

He also said the ongoing construction Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a 700 kilometre project that will run from Victoria Island, Lagos to Calabar, Cross River, would unlock limitless opportunities across the economic belt when completed.

The highway, according to him, will pass through Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and terminate in Cross River.

He noted that the award of contract for the 258-kilometre three-lane carriageway, a component of the 1000-kilometre Sokoto/Badagry superhighway will be a game changer not just for the South-West, but also for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He commended all members of the South-West Caucus for their steadfastness during the process, noting that the unity in the rank of the caucus ensured that the geo-political zone did not lose out in the leadership dynamics of the 10th Assembly.

Banidele said, “We have stood firmly with the leadership of the National Assembly, especially when plots were being hatched to bring the leadership to disrepute. We remained united behind the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and his Deputy, Jubrin Barau, even when there were unfounded allegations of budget padding.

“The South West Caucus remains a stabilising force in the Senate. Our zone has also received fair recognition in the leadership of the Senate. I am honoured to serve as the Senate Leader, while in the House of Representatives, we occupy the Chief Whip’s seat and other high-ranking positions.”

He said the South-West Assembly should not be a one-off, recommending the need to institutionalise the platform for regular interaction between APC stakeholders at both the legislative and executive levels.

“Such meetings will strengthen our unity and help us align our goals for the good of the region and the country,” he added.

He equally commended the cordial relationship between the South-West governors and members of the National Assembly from the South-West.