Representatives from the North-east zone in the 10th National Assembly have sponsored 6.5 percent of the house bills in their first year in office.
In their inaugural year, representatives from the north-east geopolitical zone have made notable strides in their legislative responsibilities by sponsoring 77 bills. This figure accounts for 6.5 percent of all bills introduced in the House between June 2023 and May 2024. Among these bills, 3 were passed/transmitted, 7 are awaiting report, and 65 are awaiting second reading.
Out of the 47 lawmakers representing the zone, only 23 lawmakers actively sponsored bills while the remaining 24 lawmakers did not participate in bill sponsorship. The north-east zone currently has just 2 female lawmakers, highlighting a critical need for improved gender balance and equal representation within the zone. This calls for concerted efforts to encourage more female participation in legislative roles.
These female lawmakers are Rep. Khadija Buka Abba-Ibrahim (APC) Damaturu/Gunna/Tarmuwa federal constituency, Yobe state, and Rep. Zainab Gimba (APC) Bama/Ngala/Kala-Balge federal constituency, Borno state.
The principal officers from the zone are Rep. Bello Usman Kumo (APC), Akko federal constituency, Gombe who is serving as chief whip, and Rep. Ali Isa (PDP), Balanga-Biliri federal constituency, Gombe who is serving as the minority whip for the assembly. Notably, their legislative record is quite thin as neither of them has sponsored any bill during the first year.
READ ALSO: 10THNASSREPORTCARD: 5 Taraba lawmakers have no bill in one year
Here is a further breakdown of the activities of the north-east zone per state.
Adamawa
3 out of Adamawa lawmakers sponsored a total of 14 bills. 2 of these bills are awaiting report while the remaining 12 are awaiting second reading. The bills constitute 18.1 percent of the zonal bills and 1.19 percent of the total house bills.
Bauchi
Only 7 of Bauchi lawmakers sponsored bills within the first year and they had a total of 40 bills between them. 34 of these bills are awaiting second reading and represent 51.9 percent of the north-east bills tally and 3.4 percent of the total house tally.
Borno
Borno had a total of 10 bills sponsored by 5 of its lawmakers. The bill progression is as follows: 1 bill was passed/transmitted, 1 is awaiting report, and 8 bills are awaiting second reading. The bills account for 12.9 percent of the zonal bills tally and 0.81 percent of the total house bills.
Gombe
Gombe had 3 sponsored bills by 3 of its lawmakers all of which are awaiting second reading. These bills make up 4 percent of the north-east zone bills tally and 0.24 percent of the total house bills.
Taraba
Taraba has 2 sponsors who proposed 5 bills. Out of these 5 bills, 1 was passed/transmitted and the remaining 4 are awaiting 2nd reading. The bills constitute 6.5 percent of the zonal bills and 0.41 percent of the total house bills.
Yobe
There were 3 bill sponsors in Yobe who sponsored 5 bills in total. 1 bill was passed/transmitted and 4 are awaiting second reading. These bills represent 6.5 percent of the north east bills tally and 0.41 percent of the total house bills.
10th NASS Report Card: Read up on the performance of other senators and members of house and other specialized categories here
