Senate Leader fires warning shot at political Actors exploiting Nigeria’s pain

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has issued a stirring Easter message urging Nigerian leaders to emulate Jesus Christ by rejecting divisive politics and working in unity to confront the nation’s challenges.

Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central in the Senate, said the National Assembly is actively working on a legal framework for the establishment of state police — a bold move aimed at strengthening the nation’s fight against insecurity.

In his message marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Senate Leader challenged Nigerians to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice and embody His values of justice, love, peace, and redemption.

“Despite the hostility He endured, Jesus Christ fought for the oppressed, gave hope to the hopeless, and spread love to the rejected,” Bamidele said. “This is the path our leaders must follow to rebuild a fractured nation.”

He condemned recent killings in Benue and Plateau states as acts that fly in the face of Christ’s teachings, and warned against inflammatory rhetoric from political and sectional figures that threaten national unity.

Bamidele emphasised the need for unity, declaring: “We must live as compatriots, not competitors; collaborators, not combatants. Nigeria cannot develop when one section is set against another.”

While revealing that the National Assembly is fine-tuning legislation to establish state police, he urged security agencies to step up efforts to track down the sponsors and masterminds of violence across the country.

He also took a swipe at political actors who exploit national challenges for selfish gain, accusing them of hijacking opposition politics for parochial interests.

“Nigeria is our collective project,” he stated. “We must build a nation that radiates peace, progress and prosperity — not a federation fractured by hate and conflict.”

Calling for national solidarity, Bamidele urged all Nigerians — regardless of ethnicity, religion or politics — to shun divisive narratives and unite against the true enemies of the country.