Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has firmly denied allegations that he is working against the interests of the Yoruba people in the National Assembly, describing the claims as “baseless, false, and unfounded.”

In a statement released by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Bamidele refuted a recent report suggesting that he opposed the idea of a regional government and allegedly made comments linking regional governance to the secession of the easterners. “The claim is completely untrue. I never made any comments about returning to regional government or granting Biafra,” Bamidele said.

He clarified that during the 27th-28th September 2024 Senate Retreat on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, he did not speak on regional governance as outlined in the 1960 and 1963 Constitutions. Instead, he emphasized his ongoing dedication to the interests of Ekiti Central, Ekiti State, the South-West, and Nigeria.

Bamidele stressed that there is no proposal before the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution regarding a return to a regional government system, and thus, claims of him working against Yoruba interests were entirely false. “How can I oppose a proposal that is not even before the committee?” he questioned.

He went on to say that these accusations were politically motivated attempts to discredit him, adding that he is committed to unity and collaboration within the National Assembly. “I am not working against Yoruba interests and would never do so for any reason. We must focus on unity and building a better Nigeria for all,” Bamidele concluded.

The Senate Leader also warned that he would not hesitate to take legal action against anyone or any organization spreading false information about him and his office.