The Senate leader representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele has ascribed his consensus candidacy and affirmation in the just concluded direct primary
election in Ekiti State as part of the grace God has given him to truly serve the people.
Bamidele said his time in the Senate has been a time that has added a lot of value to Ekiti Central. He said he his currently working on 11 different mini stadia aimed at enhancing youth development. “I’m building mini stadiums in Iyin-Ekiti, Aramoko, Okemesi, Ijero, Ipoti, Erijiyan, Ilawe, and we are also about to commence another one in Ido-Ekiti.
“I am currently constructing five intensive care units and amenity centres in Iyin-Ekiti, Ado-Ekiti, Ijero, Aramoko, and Efon.
“Aside from all of these, we have also done a lot in constructing blocks of classrooms in different schools across Ekiti Central. We have given out well over 100 transformers, and we have installed over 6,000 solar streetlight poles across Ekiti Central.
“We have also completed over 80 kilometres of inner roads in different towns and parts of Ekiti Central.” He said.
Bamidele said all these were things made possible by God for him to facilitate in his position as a senator and as Leader of the Senate.
He said he had given back to the people in every way that he could, and he believed it is also a demonstration of the fact that the people appreciated his little contribution, his modest contribution, and they want the good work to continue.
The Senate leader said the fact that he his going back as an unopposed candidate of the party imposes much more responsibility on him because he believed it is a way of calling him to greater service.
“As I always say, I see my involvement in politics as a ministry, and that is why I am guided by the grace of God.
“I just want to thank all of you, gentlemen of the press, because you have also been able to project my modest contributions in a very positive light. You have been the bridge between my office and the people of Ekiti Central and the people of Nigeria.
I do not take your efforts for granted. Thank you.” He said.
In his advice to other aspirants, Bamidele said, every contest is meant to be won or lost, but not every contest produces a loser.
Losing a contest is not the same as being a loser. It could simply mean that it is not your time. It could mean that God has a better plan for you. It could also mean that the circumstances or geopolitical considerations of the moment do not support your aspiration.
“I have worked on both sides of the aisle. A lot of you were there in 2010–2011 when I ran for the Senate for the first time. I believed I won the primary election, but it was not given to me. It was given to someone else based on certain geopolitical considerations within the party.
“I felt terrible about it, but I did not lose hope, and I did not see myself as a loser.” He said.
He therefore advised that, firstly, the party should ensure that all primaries for every position are conducted freely and fairly and to those who are disgruntled should not see themselves as losers, because their time will come.
