EKITI STATE’S JOURNEY TO THE FUTURE — “Give me Opeyemi Bamidele to work with me in Abuja”

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By HC Ade

The Man Who Saw Tomorrow is a 1981 American documentary-style film about the prophecies of Michel de Nostredame, better known as Nostradamus, the French astrologer and physician.

Nostradamus, born in 1503 to a Jewish family in Provence, France, became famous for his predictions, which were written as four-line verses known as quatrains. His prophecies, first published in the 1550s, have remained reference points across the world for centuries.

Just like Nostradamus of the 16th century, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the 21st century is seen as a visionary leader. They say time heals, but scars teach.

On March 3, 2022, then presidential aspirant Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited the palace of the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, His Royal Majesty Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III (CON). During his visit, Tinubu made a passionate and prophetic appeal to the people of Ekiti State. In the presence of top political figures, he asked that Senator (Dr.) Michael Opeyemi Bamidele be “released” to work with him closely in Abuja.

Tinubu, then the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), told the crowd that if there was anyone who knew how to talk to him and when to do so, it was Opeyemi Bamidele. He described him as a loyal and trustworthy lawyer whose counsel he valued deeply.

Senator (Dr.) Opeyemi Bamidele is a seasoned politician, human rights advocate, orator, and respected member of the Body of Benchers — a lawyer without borders. A devoted disciple of Asiwaju Tinubu’s political school, he has been part of the progressive struggle since the days of the June 12, 1993, election won by the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, GCFR.

Like the Roman statesman and philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero, Bamidele has distinguished himself as a stabilising force in Nigeria’s politics. He has been instrumental in fostering a harmonious executive-legislative relationship and promoting political stability across the South-West, especially in Ekiti State.

A loyal and dependable ally of President Tinubu since his days as Governor of Lagos State (1999–2007), Senator Bamidele has also worked closely with former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola. Today, he serves as the Senate Leader of the 10th National Assembly, representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District for a second term.

Senator Bamidele has handled several key assignments for President Tinubu with diligence and integrity. Among his recent efforts is ensuring unity within the ruling APC and laying the groundwork for peaceful and credible elections in 2026 and 2027. His focus remains on securing the re-election of Governor Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, to strengthen Ekiti’s role in national politics ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Just as Nostradamus’s prophecies continue to attract global attention, Tinubu’s request in 2022 for Ekiti people to “release” Bamidele now appears visionary. The Senator has justified that trust through his performance and loyalty.

Under Bamidele’s guidance as Senate Leader, the 10th National Assembly has passed several landmark laws since 2022. These include the Nigeria Tax Law, the Student Loan Act, the National Minimum Wage Amendment Act, the Regional Development Commission Bill, and the National Social Investment Programmes Act, among others.

So far, the 10th Senate has passed 96 bills, with 52 assented to by the President. These legislative milestones reflect the Assembly’s commitment to social welfare, economic growth, peace, and national stability.

The cordial and rancour-free relationship between the Executive and the Legislature under this administration remains a model of cooperation — thanks to Senator Bamidele’s leadership and the foresight of Ekiti people who yielded to Tinubu’s request in 2022.

At home, Senator Bamidele continues to stand out as an intelligent, humble, and visionary leader. He is a bridge-builder and a champion of continuity, ensuring political and economic stability in Ekiti through his unwavering support for Governor Oyebanji and the Presidency.

When President Tinubu said in Yoruba, “E fun mi ni Opeyemi, ohun nikan lo mo bi o se le ba mi soro, ati igba to le ba mi soro ti maa gbo” (Give me Opeyemi, he alone knows how to speak to me, and whenever he speaks, I listen), it was an expression of deep trust and respect. Tinubu recognized in Bamidele a loyal confidant, a brilliant lawyer, a grassroots mobiliser, and a politician with no record of betrayal.

As Andrew Carnegie once said, “No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself or take all the credit for doing it.” President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has once again demonstrated that leadership through trust and delegation — endorsing Governor Abiodun Oyebanji for re-election with the full backing of Senator Bamidele and the good people of Ekiti State.

With this unity, the victory of BAO/APC2026 and PBAT/APC2027 looks certain. It is a clear signal to all supporters of progress to join the winning team before it is too late.

Many thanks to the man who saw tomorrow and never stopped working for a better future for Ekiti. Gratitude also goes to the people of Ekiti for allowing Senator Bamidele to continue representing and strengthening the state’s influence at the national level. And special thanks to President Tinubu for his unshakable trust in our own Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele.

Once again, congratulations to the Distinguished Senator (Dr.) Michael Opeyemi Bamidele on your 62nd birthday. Hurray!

— HC Ade, 30th July 2025