2023: Bamidele gets APC return ticket to Senate unopposed

……Says INEC extension of primaries’ deadline not to favour APC

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human rights and Legal Matters, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, on Saturday, got the return ticket of the All Progressives Congress(APC) to the Senate, saying the extension of primaries’ deadline by the Independent National Independent Electoral Commission not to favour APC.

Bamidele who pledged a better and more robust deal for his constituents, if reelected in 2023, added that the extension granted by INEac will favour all parties to conduct their primaries in line with the provisions of the law.

The lawmaker, who garnered 275 delegate votes to emerge victorious, said the honour of being returned unopposed would further propel him for effective and more rewarding representation for his people.

Briefing newsmen after being declared winner of the primary at Aramoko Ekiti, headquarters of the Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Bamidele debunked the claim that INEC took the action to put the ruling party in a vantage position.

“The extension order was taken by INEC and not President Muhammadu Buhari. President Buhari didn’t order it. The commission based its justification on the pressure mounted by all political parties that there should be extension of time to which they can conduct their primaries.

“With the extension, all the parties,including the APC and other opposition can prepare ahead and do due diligence in electing their candidates.

“The APC Presidential primary is now pushed to next week and this was done because of the extension and other parties will enjoy the same privilege. To me, the extension is a welcome development”, he said.

In his acceptance speech, the serving Senator, said returning him unopposed as the party’s candidate represented highest regard and respect, that he won’t take for granted.

Bamidele added that his being returned upopposed signaled that he has done creditably well in the last three years.

“This is a reassurance that I have been doing well at the Senate. It is also an invitation for more work and the reward should come to my constituents. We will do more to make them happy, because to whom much is given, much is expected”.