Why I refused to join Mimiko in PDP — Bamidele

Governorship candidate of Labour Party in last year’s election in Ekiti State, Barrister Opeyemi Bamidele, has disclosed that he refused to join Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko to support President Goodluck Jonathan due to his concern for the dwindling economy of the country.

Bamidele who is chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Budget and Research, said Nigeria’s economy is bleeding at unimaginable proportion and needs a change of guard at the centre.
He explained that people should put the sentiment of age and religion aside as the duo of General Muhammadu Buhari and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo are capable of turning what has gone wrong in the country for the nation to move forward once again.
Speaking about President Goodluck Jonathan, Bamidele said, “I have respect for our President, he is a gentleman to the core but those who surrounded him. He is surrounded by all manner of characters, people who are concerned more about themselves and their immediate families rather than the country as a whole.
“The size of the government is growing by the day and there are too many wastages. Can you imagine the 2015 budget has 84 percent of it going for re-current expenditure while just mere 16 percent will go for capital expenditure. Which economy will grow this way?” he asked.
He said Nigeria under the present government has spent over N360 billion on generators and diesel in the last four years saying, “The records are there for people to check; people should go and check the nation’s budget in the last four years and calculate what was budgeted for generators and diesel to over 700 MDA’s.”
He said due to the number of oil vessels being stolen on daily basis under the present administration, it is obvious there is need for change.
“I don’t have to join the bad-wagons to make money or position when the country is bleeding and millions of youth are jobless. If I am interested in making money or big position, I would have joined PDP long before I joined Labour Party. I did not leave ACN to make money or position but for principle.  
“If I am after money, I would have joined PDP because I was invited to Aso Villa by President Jonathan. I was offered good position but I declined. In fact, four days to the Ekiti State governorship election, Mr. President called me and discussed at length with me. The following day, that was three days before the polls, Asiwaju too called me and we spoke for quite some time,” he said.