Senate Leader Reaffirms Commitment To Tax Reform And Governance Amid Baseless Allegations.
Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), has assured Nigerians that the red chamber remains focused on matters of national importance, including the consideration of the Tax Reform Bills 2024, which will be deliberated upon after the Eid-el-Fitr and Easter holidays.
This reassurance came amid a firm dismissal of fresh allegations levelled against the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, by former lawmaker, Senator Elisha Abbo. The Office of the Senate President described Abbo’s claims as “baseless and malicious”, reiterating that Akpabio had no involvement in the judicial ruling that led to Abbo’s removal from the Senate.
Speaking in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, during a wide-reaching empowerment programme that benefitted over 5,000 constituents, Senator Bamidele emphasised the Senate’s ongoing legislative work, including the review of the Constitution aimed at enhancing governance and national development.
Highlighting the 10th Senate’s achievements since its inauguration on 13 June 2023, Bamidele noted that the upper chamber had prioritised legislation to stabilise the economy, improve security, tackle inflation and strengthen governance frameworks. He also stressed his key role in initiating the Tax Reform Bills 2024, a vital move to enhance fiscal and monetary stability.
The empowerment programme saw the distribution of key items and grants to constituents across five local councils in Ekiti Central. Beneficiaries received a Caterpillar tractor, 10 diesel engine tractors, 536 sewing machines, 303 chest freezers, and grants of N100,000 each to 1,900 individuals. Additionally, 180 motorcycles, 165 tricycles and 20 mini buses were distributed to improve transportation within the district.
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, praised the initiative, noting that the state continues to benefit from President Bola Tinubu’s decision to allow Bamidele to serve at the federal level.
In a separate development, former Adamawa North senator, Elisha Abbo, who was removed from the Senate following a court ruling, accused Senate President Akpabio of orchestrating his removal and placing suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in danger by allegedly withdrawing her security details.
Abbo, speaking on Arise News, claimed Akpabio had acted unilaterally in suspending Akpoti-Uduaghan, barring her from the National Assembly and halting her salary. He compared the situation to Akpabio’s previous clashes with former Senate President Bukola Saraki during the 8th Assembly, in which no suspension occurred.
However, Akpabio’s media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, firmly denied the accusations, stating: “It is sad and regrettable that despite publicly retracting a similar allegation in 2023, Abbo has returned to the same baseless claims he previously renounced.”
The Senate leadership has maintained its commitment to transparency, stability, and continued reforms to improve the lives of Nigerians.
