It appears all is now set for the 10th Senate to officially kickstart legislative activities.
This is coming as the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during plenary on Tuesday morning announced Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti) as the Majority Leader of the Senate.
The Senate had adjourned sitting on June 14 for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration in the country.
Akpabio said: “The All Progressives Congress, APC, caucus of the Senate after consultations has emerged with their leadership, which will be the fulcrum of commencing other businesses of the chamber.
“I’m happy to announce that by consensus, the Senate Leader is Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele. He will be the Majority Leader.
“Senator Ali Mohammed Ndume (APC-Borno) will be the Chief Whip of the 10th Senate; Senator David Umahi (APC-Ebonyi), by your consent, will act as the Deputy Leader; and Sen. Lola Ashiru (APC-Kwara) will be the Deputy Chief Whip.”
To have a full complement of Senate leadership, the minority parties are expected to come up with their principal officers in accordance. This may come anytime soon.
Bamidele is representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District and Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters in the 9th National Assembly.
Bamidele is the Founder, Principal Attorney & Head of Chambers at the Law Office of Opeyemi Bamidele & Associates (with offices in Asokoro District, Abuja and Lekki Phase 1, Lagos) from where he is at the moment on leave of absence.
Bamidele graduated with honours in 1986, from the University of Ife (Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife with a Bachelor of Arts degree and, subsequently, from the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws, LL.B, Degree with honours, in 1990.
After his call to the Nigerian Bar, Bamidele launched into a full-time legal career in 1992.
He obtained a Master of Laws, LL.M, degree from the World-renowned Franklin Pierce Law Centre in the University of New Hampshire Law School, Concord, New Hampshire, USA.
He specialised in Intellectual Property Law, with bias in International Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law, including the Licensing of International Transfer of Technology.
Bamidele is a member of the New York and Nigerian Bar, a member of the American Bar Association, and a member of the International Bar Association.