By Milcah Tanimu
Almost one year since the inauguration of the 10th Senate, 24 out of 109 senators have not sponsored any bills. The remaining 85 senators have each sponsored at least one bill.
The 10th Senate, inaugurated on June 13, 2023, will celebrate its first anniversary this Thursday. From July 13, 2023, to March 2024, a total of 279 bills were sponsored.
Lawmaking is a primary function of legislators. The Senate comprises 109 members, including 14 former governors, though this number has changed due to appointments and replacements. Notably, Senators David Umahi (APC, Ebonyi South) and Ibrahim Geidam (APC, Yobe East) were appointed as Ministers of Works and Police Affairs, respectively, by President Bola Tinubu. Former Plateau State governor, Senator Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South), was sworn in December 2023 to replace Senator Napoleon Bali (PDP, Plateau South) following a court ruling.
Ex-Governors in the Senate
Currently, 13 former governors serve in the Senate. Among them, nine have sponsored bills:
– Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North): 5 bills
– Senate President Godswill Akpabio (APC, Akwa Ibom North West): 2 bills
– Gbenga Daniel (APC, Ogun East): 4 bills
– Ibrahim Dankwambo (PDP, Gombe North): 3 bills
– Aminu Tambuwal (PDP, Sokoto South): 1 bill
– Sani Bello (APC, Niger North): 3 bills
– Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central): 2 bills
– Aliyu Wammako (APC, Sokoto North): 2 bills
– Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi Central): 1 bill
Four former governors have not sponsored any bills:
– Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North)
– Henry Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West)
– Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South)
– Abdulaziz Yari (APC, Zamfara West)
Senators with No Sponsored Bills
Apart from the four former governors, the following 24 senators have yet to sponsor any bills:
– Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe North)
– Victor Umeh (LP, Anambra Central)
– Oluwole Fasuyi Cyril (APC, Ekiti North)
– Titus Tartenger Zam (APC, Benue North-West)
– Peter Jiya (PDP, Niger South)
– Adegbonmire Adeniyi Ayodele (APC, Ondo Central)
– Oyewumi Kamorudeen Olalere (PDP, Osun West)
– Anthony Ani (APC, Ebonyi South)
– Imasuen Neda Bernards (LP, Edo South)
– Okechukwu Ezea (LP, Enugu North)
– Chukwu Chizoba (LP, Enugu East)
– Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central)
– Khabeeb Mustapha (PDP, Jigawa South West)
– Kaila Samaila Dahuwa (PDP, Bauchi North)
– Rufai Hanga (NNPP, Kano Central)
– Abdulaziz Yar’Adua (APC, Katsina Central)
– Mohammed Dandutse Muntari (APC, Katsina South)
– Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South)
– Pam Dachungyang (ADP, Plateau North)
– Onyesoh Allwell Heacho (PDP, Rivers East)
– Ibrahim Lamido (APC, Sokoto East)
– Manu Haruna (PDP, Taraba Central)
– Musa Mustapha (APC, Yobe East)
Senators with Multiple Sponsored Bills
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) leads with 23 bills, followed by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North) with 17 bills. Other notable contributors include:
– Sani Musa (APC, Niger East): 8 bills
– Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West): 7 bills
– Patrick Ndubueze (APC, Imo North): 7 bills
– Saliu Mustapha (APC, Kwara Central): 7 bills
– Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West): 6 bills
As the 10th Senate approaches its first anniversary, the legislative performance of its members shows a wide disparity. While some senators are actively sponsoring multiple bills, a significant number have yet to contribute legislatively, highlighting varying levels of engagement and productivity within the upper chamber.