The upcoming gubernatorial election in Edo state appears to have distracted lawmakers from their duties as 3 senators and 9 members in the house post 42 bills in one year.
Out of a total of 1,650 bills sponsored in the 10th National Assembly in one year, 12 lawmakers from Edo state account for only 42. A majority of these 42 bills have witnessed very slow progression with many of them staying on just the first reading stage.
Based on the analysis done on the performance of lawmakers in the first year of the 10th National Assembly, it seems as if Edo lawmakers have been distracted by the upcoming gubernatorial elections. Since the primary elections of political parties to choose candidates for the elections, members of the federal legislature from the state have been deeply involved. For instance, the APC primary election conducted in February produced Rep. Dennis Idahosa (Ovia north-east/south-west) as winner. A rerun primary later conducted on February 22, 2024, produced another member of the national assembly, Sen. Monday Okpebholo (APC, Edo central) as the winner. Former governor of the state and senator representing Edo north, Adams Oshiomhole, who had at the initial time endorsed Idahosa, is now the lead face and voice of the Okpebholo governorship campaign. Virtually all lawmakers from the state are involved in the build-up to the polls, leading to seeming abandonment of their core responsibility as lawmakers in the National Assembly which is “lawmaking.”
According to OrderPaper’s detailed analysis, between June 2023 and May 2024, the Senate introduced a total of 475 bills, out of which Edo Senators sponsored only one. In the House of Representatives, there were 1175 bills in total, with Edo Reps sponsoring 41 bills.
Edo state’s representation in the 10th Assembly includes 3 senators and 9 reps, some of whom are former or aspiring governors as well as former and current principal officers. Despite their extensive political experience, it appears that the lawmakers have overlooked one of their primary responsibilities, with only one bill being sponsored in the senate during the period under review.
The only bill sponsored in the 10th Senate, an agricultural bill by Okpebholo, has been stuck at the first reading stage since its introduction on 18th October 2023. There is a very high chance that the bill may never get to second reading since the gubernatorial election is expected to take place on September 21st, 2024 which is a couple of weeks away.
Meanwhile, Oshiomhole, and 1st term senator, Neda Imasuen, failed to sponsor a single bill during the period under review.
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In the House of Representatives, the 9 Edo lawmakers sponsored a total of 41 bills, with a majority still at the first reading stage. These bills largely focus on the education, agriculture, public finance, and health sectors.
A one time deputy majority leader, Rep. Peter Akpatason and Rep. Iyawe Esosa sponsored the lowest number of bills under the constitution review and commerce and technology sectors respectively. Both bills are still at the first reading stage.
Rep. Osawaru Adesuwa and Rep. Omoruyi Osaro sponsored 2 bills each which are also at the first reading stage.
Reps Onobun Marcus and Dekeri Anamero sponsored 3 and 4 bills respectively, both still at the first reading stage.
However, majority leader of the House, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere sponsored a higher number of 16 bills, with varied progression as some have either been passed, awaiting report/consideration, or at the 2nd reading stage.
STAR Check: Find out more about all Edo state lawmakers in the national assembly here
