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Tag: Opeyemi Bamidele

  • Senate resumes with focus on tax reform, Rivers crisis, other key National issues

    Senate resumes with focus on tax reform, Rivers crisis, other key National issues

    As the Senate reconvenes following the Eid-el-Fitr and Easter recess, it is set to prioritize the passage of the 2024 Tax Reform Bills, address the political turmoil in Rivers State, and tackle the resurgence of Boko Haram and other security challenges, particularly in the Northeast.

    Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, in a statement issued Monday in Abuja, outlined the legislative body’s agenda, emphasizing its commitment to advancing national priorities. He stated, “The National Assembly resumes plenary today, May 6, 2025, to pursue the mandate entrusted to us by the Nigerian people.”

    Top on the agenda is the continued consideration and passage of the Tax Reform Bills, deemed essential for overhauling the nation’s tax system and boosting federal revenue. Bamidele noted that the reforms would support all tiers of government in implementing development projects and delivering democratic dividends.

    In addition to economic matters, the Senate plans to collaborate with the Executive to resolve ongoing socio-political tensions across the country, particularly the conflict in Rivers State. Bamidele stressed the need for dialogue and reconciliation among stakeholders to ensure lasting peace and stability.

    He also highlighted the Senate’s concern over rising insecurity in several regions, including Benue, Borno, Katsina, and Plateau states. The Senate intends to engage with security stakeholders to develop effective strategies for managing the crisis and combating terrorism nationwide.

    During the recess, the Presidency announced several key appointments. The Senate will now begin the screening of nominees, including those selected for leadership roles in the South-South Development Commission.

    Bamidele further disclosed that the constitutional review process, led by Deputy Senate President Senator Barau I. Jubrin, will be accelerated to enhance Nigeria’s federal structure. Additionally, the Senate will initiate the review of the 2022 Electoral Act to improve transparency and credibility in future elections.

    He concluded by emphasizing the need to expedite consideration and passage of several critical bills affecting various sectors of the economy. Committees will also be encouraged to hold public hearings to ensure citizen participation in the legislative process.

    As the Senate reconvenes following the Eid-el-Fitr and Easter recess, it is set to prioritize the passage of the 2024 Tax Reform Bills, address the political turmoil in Rivers State, and tackle the resurgence of Boko Haram and other security challenges, particularly in the Northeast.

    Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, in a statement issued Monday in Abuja, outlined the legislative body’s agenda, emphasizing its commitment to advancing national priorities. He stated, “The National Assembly resumes plenary today, May 6, 2025, to pursue the mandate entrusted to us by the Nigerian people.”

    Top on the agenda is the continued consideration and passage of the Tax Reform Bills, deemed essential for overhauling the nation’s tax system and boosting federal revenue. Bamidele noted that the reforms would support all tiers of government in implementing development projects and delivering democratic dividends.

    In addition to economic matters, the Senate plans to collaborate with the Executive to resolve ongoing socio-political tensions across the country, particularly the conflict in Rivers State. Bamidele stressed the need for dialogue and reconciliation among stakeholders to ensure lasting peace and stability.

    He also highlighted the Senate’s concern over rising insecurity in several regions, including Benue, Borno, Katsina, and Plateau states. The Senate intends to engage with security stakeholders to develop effective strategies for managing the crisis and combating terrorism nationwide.

    During the recess, the Presidency announced several key appointments. The Senate will now begin the screening of nominees, including those selected for leadership roles in the South-South Development Commission.

    Bamidele further disclosed that the constitutional review process, led by Deputy Senate President Senator Barau I. Jubrin, will be accelerated to enhance Nigeria’s federal structure. Additionally, the Senate will initiate the review of the 2022 Electoral Act to improve transparency and credibility in future elections.

    He concluded by emphasizing the need to expedite consideration and passage of several critical bills affecting various sectors of the economy. Committees will also be encouraged to hold public hearings to ensure citizen participation in the legislative process.

  • Senate Leader reveals National Assembly’s top agenda for 2025

    Senate Leader reveals National Assembly’s top agenda for 2025

    Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele has listed the consideration of the N49.7 trillion 2025 budget and the Tax Reform Bills as two of the items topping National Assembly’s agenda in the new year.

    Bamidele said this in his new year message to Nigerians made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday. Opeyemi’s message was entitled: “Another Year of Limitless Opportunities”.

    He said that the next few weeks would be devoted to the scrutiny of the 2025 Appropriation Bill, Tax Reform Bills, 2024 and investigation of economic sabotage in the petroleum industry, among others.

    Bamidele said that key economic reform initiatives which had been in the pipeline to open up Nigeria for real businesses that would throw up limitless opportunities would also be deliberated upon.

    He further stated that the constructive collaboration which the national assembly had being having with the executive since June 2023 was already yielding results.

    “It is also repositioning the nation’s economy for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians,” he said.

    The majority leader cited the multi-tiered interventions by the presidency and national assembly, particularly the commencement of operation by Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals within the 2024 fiscal year as an instance.

    Another one, he said, was the Port Harcourt Refining Company and Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company which was now back in operation after almost two decades of inaction.

    Bamidele assured that the national assembly would sustain the President Bola Tinubu-led government’s drive to deepen global best practices in the country’s petroleum industry.

    “This is the rationale behind the Senate Ad-hoc Committee to investigate alleged economic sabotage in the Nigerian petroleum industry.

    “Considering the significance of the Committee, the National Assembly has initiated the process to constitute a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives.

    “This is to look more decisively and incisively into diverse issues spurring infraction and sabotage in the petroleum industry,” he said.

  • Despite public outcry, Senate suspends investigative hearing on oil sector sabotage

    Despite public outcry, Senate suspends investigative hearing on oil sector sabotage

     

    Despite public anger over the increase in price of Premium Motor Spirit otherwise known as petrol and the scarcity of the product at retail outlets, the Senate has suspended its investigative hearing expected to hold on Tuesday.

    Senate Leader and Chairman of the adhoc Committee to Investigate Alleged Economic Sabotage in the Nigerian Petroleum Industry, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

    Bamidele’s statement was silent on the reason for the sudden postponement but merely claimed that “the decision for the postponement was taken in the best interest of the federation and its teeming population.”

    He further explained that the postponement became imperative considering the compelling need “to consult more widely with expanded stakeholders within and without the petroleum industry and legislative exigencies to further deepen due diligence in the conduct of the investigative hearing “

    “The prevailing realities in the country that demanded urgent interventions of nearly all the stakeholders in the public and private sectors across 36 states of the federation and Federal Capital Territory informed the resolve for the postponement.

    “While we deeply regret all inconveniences it may have caused all the stakeholders collectively or individually, this decision was taken purely and solely in the national interest.”

    He explained that each of these decisions was taken to enable the ad-hoc committee the holistic approach to the public hearing and find lasting solutions to the challenges confronting the petroleum sector of the economy.

    The Senate further assured all the stakeholders that a new date for the public hearing would be communicated to them in due course.

  • Saboteurs in petroleum industry must be exposed – Senate Leader

    Saboteurs in petroleum industry must be exposed – Senate Leader

    Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele has vowed that saboteurs in the Nigerian petroleum industry must be exposed and brought to book, adding that no sacred cow would be spared.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Senator Bamidele to have said the 15-member ad-hoc committee set up to investigate alleged economic sabotage in the petroleum sector is not like any other committees.

    Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Bamidele, who is the chairman of the 15-member ad-hoc committee, stressed that the roots of sabotage in Nigeria’s petroleum industry would have been unravelled by the time the committee finished its assignment.

    While raising concerns over the state of federal government owned refineries, the Committee Chairman said the committee would spread its tentacles across every facet of the Nigerian petroleum industry.

    “In line with our mandate, we will definitely unravel the roots of economic sabotage in Nigeria’s petroleum industry and make necessary recommendations that will entrench global best practices in the industry and open it up for more investments, especially in the midstream and downstream sectors,” he said.

    Recall Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South Senatorial District, had moved a motion bordering on alleged economic sabotage in the petroleum industry.

    Moved by the importance of the motion on alleged sabotage in the petroleum sector, the Nigerian Senate inaugurated the 15-member ad-hoc committee to investigate the allegations.

    This came on the heels of accusations by the management of Dangote Refinery that International Oil Companies (IOCs) in Nigeria were doing everything to frustrate the company’s survival.

    There have also been accusations and counter accusations of importation of substandard petroleum products into the country.

    TNG reports Nigeria has five IOCs operating in the country and they include Shell Producing Development Company (SPDC), TotalEnergies, Chevron, ExxonMobil and Eni.

    Senator Bamidele noted that the ad-hoc committee was not set up to witch hunt any individual or group of people, or corporation, but rather to find a lasting solutions to problems besetting the sector.

    While seeking the cooperation of stakeholders in the petroleum industry, Bamidele disclosed that public hearings will be held from September 10th to 12th, 2024.

    “The sessions will enable us to engage directly with key actors in the petroleum industry and unravel those behind the illicit practice of importing hazardous and substandard petroleum products into the country contrary to established protocols and standards.

    “After the public hearing, the committee will go into close sessions during which we consider all the submissions from the key actors, draft our report and the eventual adoption of the report,” he stated.

    Speaking further Bamidele stressed the committee, along with Nigerians, is particularly interested in understanding why local refineries are not working despite the substantial amounts of money spent annually on their maintenance and operations.

    “It is pertinent to note that in the course of interactions with the identified stakeholders, the Ad-Hoc Committee will visit any of their facilities that it deems necessary, especially the state-owned refineries, to ascertain their status, considering the huge funds already invested in their various Turn Around Maintenances-year in, year out-without any meaningful result.

    “We will closely examine what the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has been doing to address this persistent problem.

    “Additionally, the Committee will meet with stakeholders in their various zones to gather localized insights and feedback. To ensure broad participation and transparency, the Committee will create a platform for the general public and stakeholders to submit memoranda before the public hearings.

    “Our investigation seeks to identify and hold accountable all parties involved in the importation and distribution of the adulterated Petroleum Products (PMS and AGO). This includes suppliers, importers, regulatory bodies, and any other entities that may have contributed to this serious lapse in quality control.

    “We will conduct a thorough review of current regulatory frameworks and procedures to identify deficiencies and recommend necessary reforms to prevent such occurrences in the future. The Committee is committed to ensuring the highest standards of fuel quality for the Nigerian market,” Bamidele stated.

  • Fuel scarcity will soon be over – Senate Leader

    Fuel scarcity will soon be over – Senate Leader

    Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has assured Nigerians that the fuel crisis experienced in the country will soon be a thing of the past.

    Bamidele gave this assurance in an interview with newsmen on the sidelines of the Oil Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, on Friday.

    According to him, the legislature is working tirelessly to ensure that fuel scarcity and frequent queues at filling stations are resolved.

    He said that there were plans to involve more private-sector players in the construction of new refineries.

    “The Senate is working to ensure that more private-sector players are licensed to own and operate refineries.

    “This is to support other smaller ones that are springing up in several parts of the country.

    “In addition to licensing new refinery operators, the Federal Government and Senate are working to ensure that the existing refineries are turned around with repairs and replacement of parts carried out where necessary.

    Bamidele said the Senate had gotten assurance from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd., (NNPC Ltd.) that two of its refineries in Warri and Port Harcourt would come on stream before the end of the year.

    He also noted that the commitment to licensing new refinery operators and revitalising existing refineries remained vital for increasing domestic oil production.

    Opeyemi maintained that the focus was to ensure that Nigeria meets its OPEC production quota.

    He explained that achieving such milestones would provide more revenue for the government and halt lack and borrowings.

    By enhancing local refinery capacity, the Senator said that the country could reduce its dependence on fuel imports, leading to a potential decrease in petrol prices.

    He explained that what drives pricing is the ability to meet demand in the face of every product, finding its level and place in a free market.

    Also speaking, the Chairman, Senate Committee of Downstream, Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah, said the last Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) that happened at the refineries was about 15 years ago, which led to the comatose state of the facility.

    Ubah said that the non-deregulation of the downstream sector had put undue pressure on NNPC Ltd., as the entire industry depends on company for its petroleum needs.

    He pointed out that no country could meet its energy needs by having a single entity; importing its petroleum product needs.

    However, to be self-sufficient, Ubah urged the government to create a cluster of five to eight modular refineries within the riverine communities.

  • Senate Leader reveals phone conversation with Tinubu on ministerial list

    Senate Leader reveals phone conversation with Tinubu on ministerial list

    Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele has revealed a phone conversation he had with President Bola Tinubu, disclosing that the President will by Thursday have sent the much-awaited ministerial list to the Senate.

    Bamidele, who disclosed this during the public presentation of books to mark his 60th birthday at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua centre, Abuja, said President Tinubu was not at the event because he was putting a final touch to the ministerial list.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Nigerians are eagerly awaiting President Tinubu’s ministerial list with the 60 days stipulated in the amended 1999 Constitution for president and state governors to make public their ministers and commissioners expiring on Friday.

    The Senate Leader stressed Tinubu was unable to attend the unveiling of the book because he had to be away for the next 48 hours in order to decide on the ministerial list.

    Bamidele said, “Significantly at 10:05 am this morning (Tuesday) I saw a missed call and it was Seyi Tinubu and Seyi said at exactly 10 o’clock make sure your phone is in your hand.

    “This is because Mr President is going to call you and three minutes past 10 a.m, Mr President Bola Tinubu was on the phone and he said to me Opeyemi, you know nothing in this world would have stopped me from being there on your birthday.

    “Let me tell you and you must encourage me. I need to make myself unavailable for the next 48 hours because a correspondence must come to the Senate, a very crucial correspondence.

    “So Mr President prayed for me and that we should tell the rest of Nigerians to pray for him.

    “This is to be able to make the right decision within the next 24 hours so that when Nigerians hear the list of his ministers, they will say yes, this is uncommon.”

    Opeyemi said that the call was important to him because “the president asked that we pray to God to grant him all the wisdom in taking this decision and in providing leadership to the country”.

    Bamidele who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District further said that the book was a collection of papers he developed at different fora.

    “I’m doing this to encourage every young man who sees the need to be loyal to just do whatever he has to do and be the unseen hand and the unheard voice behind your boss.

    “I will give my best not only in the red chamber but to anywhere I find myself. I have been saved to serve. I dedicate the book to God who saved me to serve.”

    He also appreciated the Governor of Ekiti Abiodun Oyebanji for his support.

  • Pressure mounts on President Tinubu to intervene for Ekweremadu

    Pressure mounts on President Tinubu to intervene for Ekweremadu

    The Senator representing Ekiti Central, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele has urged President Bola Tinubu to deploy diplomatic shuttle to ensure the release of Sen. Ike Ekweremadu (PDP-Enugu) in the United Kingdom’s prison.

    He made the call in his remarks at the valedictory session for the outgoing senators of the 9th Senate.

    Recall that Ekwremadu, a former Deputy Senate President was sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison for organ trafficking in May.

    The sentencing was done at the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, UK.

    Opeyemi who is also the Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters said what happened to Ekweremadu could have happened o any parent.

    “My heart goes to that gentleman distinguished Sen. Ike Ekweremadu,” he said.

    He called on Tinubu to deploy all the necessary diplomatic means for the release of Ekwremadu.

    Bamidele also mourned four senators who died while serving the people of their senatorial districts in the National Assembly.

    They include: Sen. Bayo Osinowo (Lagos East), Sen. Rose Oko (Cross River North), Sen. Benjamin Uwajumogu (Imo North) and Sen. Ignatius Longjam (Plateau South).

    He further appreciated the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, for the opportunity to serve as the chairman of the committee on judiciary human rights and legal matters.

    “On behalf of all of us in the committee, it was a wonderful opportunity you gave us to add value.

    “Under your watch, our committee participated in the passage of very important bills.

    “Our committee was also responsible for the speedy confirmation of two Chief Justices of Nigeria and President Court of Appeal and five other Chief Judges of different courts in this country.

    “Nigeria’s story is not going to be the same under the new administration and I call on all of us to continue to work.

    “President Tinubu signed a bill that is important to us on the retirement age of our judges.

    “Under your watch, the budget of the judiciary was increased geometrically from N95 billion in 2018; N110 billion in 2021; N120 billion in 2022 and 125 billion in 2023.

    “It is not yet uhuru. I know the incoming senate will also do more from where you are living this baton.”

  • UPDATE: Constitution Review: Senate okays 35 amendments

    UPDATE: Constitution Review: Senate okays 35 amendments

    The Senate has approved 35 items out of the 44 Constitution Alteration Bills forwarded to State Houses of Assembly for concurrence.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that 24 out of the 36 assemblies voted for the 35 items with complete exclusion of financial and administrative autonomies for local government councils.

    Senate’s resolution to this effect , followed motion on Tuesday, moved by Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele on behalf of the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, who chaired the Senate Committee on Constitution Review.

    The 35 items read by Bamidele were: Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No 3 (Change of Names of Afikpo North and Afikpo South Local Government Areas (Ebonyi),
    Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No 4 (Change of Name of Kunchi Local Government Area (Kano State).

    “Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No 5 (Change of Names of Egbado North and Egbado South Local Government Areas (Ogun) and Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No 7 (Correction of the name of Atisbo Local Government Area (Oyo).

    Others were Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No 8 (Correction of Name of Obia/Akpor Local Government Area (Rivers);
    Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No 9 (Financial autonomy of State legislatures and State Judiciary).

    “Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 10 (Enforcement of Legislative Summon); Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 11 (Inauguration of Members-Elect), Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 21 (Deletion of reference in the Constitution to the provisions of the Criminal Code, Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Act, Criminal Procedure Code or Evidence Act).

    “Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 22 (Provision for Intervening Events in the Computation of Tine for the Determination of Pre-Election Petitions, Election Petitions and Appeals therefrom).

    “Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 24 (Expansion of the Interpretation of Judicial Office); Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 25 (Appointment of Secretary of the National Judicial Council);

    “Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 29 (Devolution of Powers (Airports));
    Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 30 (Devolution of Powers (Fingerprints, identification and criminal records).

    “Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 31 (Devolution of Powers (Correctional Services), Constitution (Fifth Alteration) Bill No. 32 (Devolution of Powers (Railways)

    The upper chamber accordingly directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to transmit the 35 Bills that have so far met the requirement of the provision of Section 9(2) of the Constitution to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent in line with the provisions of the Acts Authentication Act.

    It also urged the following State Houses of Assembly – Gombe, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kwara, Oyo, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Zamfara that were yet to forward their resolution on the Bills to do so in fulfillment of their constitutionally imposed legislative obligation to the Constitution amendment process.

    Some of the nine bills bills that failed passage at the State Houses of Assembly were the one that sought for Abrogation of the State Joint Local Government Account and Provide for special Account into which shall be paid all Allocations due to Local Government Councils from the Federation Account and from the Government of the State; and for Related Matters”.

  • Why I will not leave APC despite Ekiti primary charade – Sen. Bamidele

    Why I will not leave APC despite Ekiti primary charade – Sen. Bamidele

    Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, one of the aggrieved governorship aspirants in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Jan. 27 primary in Ekiti State has said he will not leave the party.

    Senator Bamidele, however, said on Friday in a statement he issued in Ado-Ekiti that he was no longer interested in dragging the party or individuals to court over the outcome of the exercise.

    Bamidele, the current senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, stated that he had to change his earlier position after critical stakeholders intervened and appealed to him to have a rethink.

    Consequently, he said he would no longer be challenging the victory of the immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, who emerged victorious at the primary.

    This, he stated, was for the sake of unity and cohesion in the APC in the state.

    Bamidele explained that though, he still harboured resentment about the primary election, he would not seek redress in court, or defect from the APC.

    He, however, still described the exercise as a “sham, a charade and flagrant abrasion of democracy ethos’’.

    Bamidele, a former Commissioner for Information in Lagos State and one-time member of House of Representatives, is currently Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters.

    Shortly after the governorship primary, he threatened to head to court to challenge the outcome.

    Bamidele maintained that his latest action did not mean he had abandoned the struggle to right the wrongs and make the party truly democratic.

    “In spite of my strong convictions as expressed earlier, I have come to some irreversible conclusions.

    “And these are the messages I need to pass on to all and sundry today as I temporarily break my silence on the way forward.

    “One is to say that I have chosen to drop the option of going to Court to sue the party.

    “The other is to make it crystal clear to everyone that both my supporters and I will not defect from APC.

    “Details of the reasons which informed these choices will be communicated at a later date when my supporters and I address Ekiti State people. It is not just about me.

    “It is about the unity and progress of Ekiti State and her politically undermined and economically afflicted people.

    “It is also about ensuring that the ground is not prepared for reactionary beneficiaries to take advantage of seeming lack of capacity to manage our affairs as a ruling party,’’ he stated.

    “I also must coordinate and lead my own aspect of this popular struggle to ensure that my supporters and stakeholders who had been isolated from the mainstream of the party become relevant again.

    “Anything short of that can only be a highway to nowhere.

    “We have all contributed so much to building this party in Ekiti State and the management as well as its decision-making process cannot be an exclusive preserve of a few.

    “This is the new reality and those in control, including our national leadership must accept it or it becomes a popular subject matter of a struggle around which a popular movement must be built.

    “This is where I stand,’’ he added.

  • Senate approves 6 new law campuses across geo-political zones

    Senate approves 6 new law campuses across geo-political zones

    The Senate on Tuesday approved the establishment of six new campuses of the Nigerian Law School across the six geo-political zones of the country.

    The newly approved law schools is in addition to the seven existing ones, bring the total number of law schools in the country to 13, excluding that of the Federal Capital Territory.

    The approval of the new law campuses followed the consideration and adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on the Legal Education Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

    The bill was sponsored by Sen. Smart Adeyemi (APC-Kogi).

    Accordingly, the Senate approved the Jos Law School Campus, Plateau and Kabba Law School Campus, Kogi, for the North Central geo-political zone.

    The chamber also gave the nod for the Yola Law School Campus, Adamawa and Maiduguri Law School Campus, Borno, to serve the North East zone.

    In the North West, the Senate approved the Kano Law School Campus, Kano State and Argungun Law School Campus, Kebbi.

    In the South East, the chamber gave approval for the Enugu Law School Campus and Okija Law School Campus, Anambra.

    The Senate also approved the Yenegoa Law School Campus, Bayelsa; Port Harcourt Law School Campus, Rivers and Orogun Law School Campus, Delta for the South- South zone.

    In the South West, the chamber approved the Lagos Law School Campus, Lagos; and Ilawe Law School Campus, Ekiti.

    The Bwari Law School Campus, Abuja, remains exclusively for the Federal Capital Territory.

    Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, said the creation of the new six law schools was a legislative intervention to address “the exponential increase in the number of law graduates from our universities an foreign ones, coupled with the backlog that existed over the years.”

    According to the lawmaker, existing campuses are overstretched and the infrastructures are not enough to accommodate thousands of law students graduating from the universities.