Who is Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, the new Senate majority leader?

Ayomikun Elemikan Biographies, Politics 05/07/2023

On Tuesday, 4th July, the Senate president Sen. Godswill Akpabio revealed the names of principal officers of the 10th Senate.

Among them was 59-year-old politician Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, popularly known as ‘MOB.’ He was named the new majority leader of the senate.

Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (Image: @Temi_tayour)

Who is Michael Opeyemi Bamidele?

Michael Opeyemi Bamidele was born on 29 July 1963, at Iyin Ekiti, a town in Ekiti State. However, MOB spent most of his early life in Lagos State.

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He has been an active member of the 7th, 8th and 9th National Assembly, representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District of Ekiti state at the Nigerian senate. He’s presently part of the 10th senate and, as earlier stated, is the majority leader of the house.

Educational background

While in Lagos State, the young Bamidele attended Baptist Academy secondary school. He later proceeded to the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife where he bagged a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies.

Bamidele also attended the University of Benin where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Law in 1990. Upon his graduation from the Nigerian Law School, Opeyemi Bamidele was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1992.

Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (right) with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Image: @Temi_tayour)

The lawyer and human rights activist, in his quest for more knowledge and educational experience went further to study for a master’s degree in law at the Franklin Pierce University in the United States. He was thereafter called to the New York Bar in January 1999.

Major feats and political positions

Michael Opeyemi Bamidele was one of the defence counsel, led by Chief Godwin Olusegun Kolawole Ajayi, that defended Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola on his treason trial.

In June 1992, MOB contested in the primary elections to the Federal House of Representatives. He was seeking to represent Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency in Lagos State under the platform of Social Democratic Party but lost.

Bamidele served as Special Assistant on legal matters to Senator Bola Tinubu until November 1993. In July 2000, he was appointed Senior Special Assistant on political and intergovernmental relations to the Lagos State governor.

Another appointment came Bamidele’s way when, during Governor Bola Tinubu’s administration, he was chosen as the commissioner for Lagos State Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development.

(L-R) Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (MOB), Ekiti State Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO) and another politician celebrating after MOB emerged majority leader of the Senate [Image: @Temi_tayour]

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In April 2011, Opeyemi Bamidele was elected member of the 7th National Assembly to represent Ekiti Central federal constituency 1. Since then, he has been a part of the National Assembly.

Honours

Bamidele is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Nigeria). In October 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari conferred on him the Nigerian national honour of Commander Of The Order Of The Niger (CON).