Senators from the Southern Nigeria have elected a six-man executive to lead their caucus in the National Assembly.
Newly elected chairman of the Forum, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, in his inaugural address, assured Nigerians that the caucus would continue to strengthen Nigeria’s unity irrespective of the challenges confronting it now.
“Our position is that we have to manage our unity in diversity. We further look forward to strengthen the leadership of the Senate. We would provide voice for our people that we came here to represent. We would use the platform to strengthen the unity of Nigeria that we have all promised to uphold.”
Other elected Executive members of the Forum elected include, Senator Stella Oduah as the Vice Chairman, Senator Matthew Urhoghide as the Secretary General, Senator Utazi Chukwuka as the publicity Secretary while Senator Adeola Olamilekan is to serve as the treasurer.
Deputy President of the Senate Ovie Omo Agege, who also attended the elective caucus meeting, confirmed that the idea of southern senators forum does not create division among the Legislators from the two regions of Nigeria.
“We have the northern senators forum which was inaugurated some time ago. By June 11, we would be in Senate for two years and we felt we need to inaugurate the leadership for southern senators forum.”
“Let me make it very clear that we are united, both the northern and southern senators. We are United behind the leadership of the 9th Senate. We have resolved that notwithstanding the challenges facing the country, we would support a United Nigeria,” he said.
The meeting however recorded a very low turnout of Southern Senators which the Deputy President of the Senate attributed to the impromptu scheduling of the event.
Lateefah Ibrahim
