Karimi, Natasha and other Kogi lawmakers record stagnant bills as six Kogi Reps sponsor no bill in one year of the 10th National Assembly
Legislators’ performance is typically rated based on constituency representation, committee involvement or oversight and legislative output. However, legislative output, which is measured by the number and quality of bills sponsored or co-sponsored by a legislator, including how many successfully become laws that can enhance the good governance and well-being of citizens, has not been taken seriously by some lawmakers.
In Kogi State, this metric paints a concerning picture. The 12 legislators from the state in the 10th National Assembly accounted for a modest 20 bills out of a total of 1,650 bills introduced in the first year of the assembly. This means that Kogi’s contribution to the total legislative agenda was just over 1 percent, a figure that raises questions about the state’s representation in the federal law-making process. Furthermore, a staggering 80 percent of these bills have not progressed beyond the second reading, with just 15 percent at the committee stage. A concerning portion of the bills, categorized as “negatived,” failed to proceed after initial debates, meaning they have been effectively shelved unless reintroduced at a later date.
According to a comprehensive analysis by OrderPaper, tracking the legislative efforts between June 2023 and May 2024, the three Kogi senators jointly sponsored 13 bills out of the 475 bills introduced in the senate. Leading the charge among the senators is Sen. Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi west in his first term. Karimi sponsored 7 bills, which is notable but concerning as more than half (57.1 percent) of these bills are still awaiting a second reading. A breakdown of the status of his bills reveals that 14.3 percent have made it to the committee stage, another 14.3 percent have been negatived, and a further 14.3 percent are awaiting committee action.
Sen. Isah Jibrin, a second-term senator representing Kogi east, and Sen. Natasha Uduaghan, a first-term senator representing Kogi central, fared less impressively. Jibrin sponsored 4 bills and Uduaghan 2, all of which are currently stuck at the first reading stage, suggesting a sluggish legislative start for both senators.
The performance of Kogi’s representatives in the House echoes similar patterns of limited legislative progress. Among the nine representatives, only 7 bills were sponsored out of the 1,175 introduced in the House of Representatives in the same period. Rep. Sanni Abdulraheem, representing Ajaokuta, sponsored 3 bills, all of which are still awaiting their second reading. Rep. Ali Ibrahim, representing Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro, and Rep. Abdulanaleek Danga, representing Adavi/Okehi, each sponsored two bills, which also remain either awaiting second reading or awaiting committee reports.
ALSO READ: 10TH NASS REPORT CARD: Four Kebbi lawmakers sponsor no bill in 1 year
However, six of the nine Kogi representatives: Haruna Gowon, Zacharias Idris, Idris Salman, Aguye Danladi, Ozigi Muhammed Tijani, and Abejide Joseph failed to sponsor a single bill in the first year of the assembly. This lack of legislative activity raises concerns about their commitment to lawmaking and their capacity to address critical issues affecting their constituencies.
STAR CHECK: Find out about all Kogi 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
