- Performance report by StatiSense on Senators with zero bill in the 10th National Assembly has ignited debate on legislative responsibility in Nigeria
- The Northeast region had the highest number of senators with zero bill sponsorship according to the report
- TheRadar compiled the reactions of the public below
A recent performance report by StatiSense, a data analysis organization, has sparked public concern after revealing that 18 senators in Nigeria's 10th National Assembly did not sponsor any bills in their first year.
Released on Tuesday, October 2, via StatiSense's X (formerly Twitter) account, the report has led to mixed reactions from the people. While some fractions of the public criticised the lawmakers, others said it was one of the pressures that led them to raise anti-citizen bills.
Public frustration as senators push questionable bills
“This is the kind of pressure that pushes these senators present to foolish bills like that one that suggested fresh graduated doctors shouldn't be given their certificates until after 5 years of practicing in Nigeria,” an X user stated.
The senators identified in the report represented the three major political parties in the country which are the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria) and the Labour Party (LP).
The APC tops the list with eight senators who sponsored zero bills in the 10th National Assembly. More so, all the Senators from the Northwest region are from the APC party. The PDP had six while the LP had three Senators with zero bills in the 10th National Assembly.
Northern region tops list with 12 senators with zero bills
The Northeast region had the highest number of senators without any bill sponsorship in the first year, with six members: Ahmed Lawan of Yobe North (APC), Musa Mustapha of Yobe East (APC), Samaila Kaila of Bauchi North (PDP), Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central (PDP), Manu Haruna of Taraba Central (PDP), and Amos Yohanna of Adamawa North (PDP).
The Northwest region had three senators: Ibrahim Lamido (Sokoto East, APC), Abubakar Yari (Zamfara West, APC), and Muntari Dandutse (Katsina South, APC).
Three senators with zero bills were also identified in the North Central region: Pam Nwadkon (Plateau North, ADP), Simon Lalong (Plateau South, APC), and Jiya Ndalikali (Niger South, PDP).
Over 50% of Senate bills and nearly 30% of House bills are recycled
South-South region had three Senators as identified in the report: Onyesoh Allwell (Rivers East, PDP), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North, APC), and Neda Imasuen (Edo South, LP).
The Southeast region also had three senators without any sponsored bills: Okorie (Ebonyi South, APC), Kelvin Chizoba (Enugu East, LP), and Victor Umeh (Anambra Central, LP).
Recall that an earlier report from OrderPaper indicated 149 representatives had similarly failed to sponsor any bills during their first year in the National Assembly.
The report also highlighted a trend of recycled bills with over 50% of Senate bills and nearly 30% of House bills being reintroduced from previous assemblies.
Netizens react to bill sponsorship report
TheRadar compiled public reactions following the release of the report, below:
“Must all senators in every govt sponsor a bill,” Eureka stated.
“Must every senator sponsor a bill? Have you not heard of joint bill sponsorship, @StatiSense? Contributing committedly, passionately and meaningfully to debates or bill considerations should be standard, and until we, Nigerians, understand this and stop putting undue,” Oluseed commented.
“Even the ones with bills? Of what impact are those to the famished masses wailing "ebin pawa"??? What significant difference has their bills made?” Equity Zone questioned.
“I called them sit warmer,” Chuks Godfrey stated.
“What kind of bills are these people passing by the way? Consumption, consumption and consumption bills?” reacted. “Please, let's move! Bicameral legislature is drain on our economy because its contribution relatively and absolutely to national development, is zero,” Abirika 1998 stated.
“They are just there to enrich themselves, nothing more,” Aboikagbo commented.
7 bills awaiting approval of the 10th National Assembly
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that several sensitive and contentious bills remained unresolved, awaiting public hearings and legislative approval.
Following this, TheRadar compiled seven of the key bills that have been pending since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in June 2023.