While late Dogonyaro had 3 bills, seven other Jigawa Rep members sponsor none in one year of 10th National Assembly
The legislative performance of lawmakers must be scrutinised, particularly when it comes to their core responsibilities of representation, lawmaking, and oversight. One of the most crucial aspects, lawmaking, is where several legislators often fall short. A recent appraisal by OrderPaper on the performance of the 10th National Assembly reveals concerning trends, particularly from lawmakers representing Jigawa State.
From June 2023 to May 2024, a total of 1,650 bills were sponsored in the 10th National Assembly. However, Jigawa lawmakers contributed only 16 bills, signalling a slow legislative output. This figure places Jigawa State among the states with the lowest number of bills and the slowest progression in the first year of the 10th assembly.
Of the 11 members representing Jigawa in the House of Representatives, only four sponsoring seven out of the 1,175 bills put forward by the House. These include contributions from late Rep. Isa Dogonyaro, who sponsored 3 bills awaiting second reading before his death, as well as Rep. Fulata Hassan, Rep. Yusuf Galambi, and Rep. Makki Yalleman, all of whom sponsored bills awaiting second reading.
ALSO READ: 10TH NASS REPORT CARD: Female rep sponsors most bills among Imo lawmakers
On the other hand, 7 Jigawa representatives Adamu Adamu, Rep. Madawaki Dahiru, Rep. Sani Nazifi, Rep. Murtar Muhammad, Rep. Ibrahim Auyo, Rep. Yusuf Saidu, and Rep. Saad Taura failed to sponsor any bills within this timeframe.
The state’s representation in the senate did not fare much better. Of the three Jigawa senators, Babangida Uba (APC, north west) sponsored six bills, Khabeeb Mustapha (PDP, south west) and Abdulhamid Mallam-Madori (APC, north east) sponsored two and one bill, respectively. However, all these bills remain stalled at the first reading stage, adding to the narrative of legislative inactivity.
The sluggish output from Jigawa’s lawmakers reflects broader concerns about legislative engagement and accountability. OrderPaper’s appraisal shines a light on an area that demands immediate attention. As the 10th Assembly continues, it is crucial for lawmakers, particularly from states like Jigawa, to step up their efforts in lawmaking, ensuring they fulfil their mandate to the people they represent.
STAR Check: Find out more about all Jigawa State lawmakers in the National Assembly here.
10th NASS Report Card: Read up on the performance scorecards of other senators, members of the house and specialised categories here.
