8 Niger lawmakers, including a freshman in the Reps, rake 51 bills as 5 of them recorded zero on the first year report card
Aside from oversight and representation, the core function of the legislature is lawmaking for the good governance and well-being of a country’s citizens.
Members of the 10th Senate and House of Representatives processed a total number of 1,650 bills in the first year of the four years tenure. Of this number, lawmakers representing Niger state account for 51 bills, representing 3.09 percent. However, 98 percent of these bills are yet to scale through second reading while a mere 2 percent are awaiting committee consideration.
According to OrderPaper’s detailed analysis of bills processed between June 2023 and May 2024, the three senators representing the state account for fourteen (14) of the 475 bills sponsored in the senate. The ten (10) representatives from the state account for 37 of the 1175 bills recorded in the green chamber during the period under review.
Sen. Sani Musa, a two term representative representing Niger east topped the chart with ten (10) bills. These bills are mostly focused on constitutional amendment, health, technology, electoral reforms, finance, regional development and private sector development. The bills have scaled level of second reading as 90 percent are awaiting second reading while 10 percent awaiting consideration.
Sen. Abubakar Sani Bello representing Niger north recorded four (4) and the bills are focused on health, agriculture, constitutional amendment, ICT. They are 100 percent awaiting second reading. Meanwhile Sen. Jiya Ndalikali representing Niger south accounts for nil bill.
Meanwhile, in the House of Representatives, Rep. Saidu Musa Abdullahi representing Bida/Gbako/Katcha federal constituency, who is a former banker, accounts for 26 bills out of which 96.1 percent are awaiting second reading. The bills are mostly focused on banking, constitution alteration, education, commerce regulation, civil rights and welfare including agriculture.
Rep. Tanku Adamu representing Gurara/Suleija/Tafa federal constituency has four (4) bills putting him second position behind Rep. Saidu Abdullahi. 100 percent of his bills awaiting second reading.
Rep. Joshua Gana, a first term member representing Lavun/Mokwa/Edatti federal constituency, recorded 3 bills and 100 percent are awaiting second reading. Also trailing behind him is Rep. Shehu Rijau, a third term member representing Magama/Rijau, posted 2 bills which are awaiting second reading as well.
Rep. Abdullahi Garba, representing Kantongora/Wushishi/Mashegu federal constituency failed to sponsor a bill despite being the oldest serving lawmaker (5th term) from the state. Another ranking member who has served three terms who failed to record any bill is Rep. Mamudu Abdullahi representing Agale Lapai. He is also usually invisible with zero participation during plenary sessions and committee engagements. Others without a bill are: Reps Abubakar Abdul representing Chanchagai, Baraje Kure representing Bosso/Paikoro.
Since its inception, OrderPaper Nigeria has championed multifaceted media products and advocacy programmes geared towards legislative accountability. One of such is the innovative, trail-blazing and unimpeachable annual performance appraisals of members of the national assembly.
STAR Check: Find out more about all Niger lawmakers in the National Assembly here.
10th NASS REPORT CARD: Read up on the performance scorecard of other senators, members of the House on specialised categories here
