Only 7 of the 35 bills sponsored by lawmakers from Ekiti state were passed with majority of them failing to progress beyond early stages
Out of 1,650 bills sponsored by the 10th National Assembly in one year, 9 lawmakers from Ekiti State account for only 35 bills. Significantly 7 of the bills posted by the senators were passed while majority stalled at first reading stage. However none of the bills by Ekiti reps in the house of representtaives were passed as majority are at first reading while others are awaiting consideration of report from committees.
From June 2023 to May 2024, 475 bills were introduced on the floor of the senate, out of which senators from the state sponsored 22. In like manner, out of the 1,175 bills brought to the House of Representatives, the 6 members from the state accounted for just 13 bills in one year.
ALSO READ: 10th NASS Report Card: Okpebholo 1, Oshiomhole nil as Edo lawmakers post 42 bills
Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) sponsored 17 bills, more than any other Ekiti legislator. Many of them however remain stuck at the first reading stage. Senate spokesman, Adaramodu Raphael (APC Ekiti South), who is a first term member, had speedy progression in his bill as his single bill with focus on youth development got passed by the senate. Another first-term lawmaker, Senator Fasuyi Oluwole (APC Ekiti North), sponsored four bills all of which are awaiting second reading.
In the House of Representatives, the six members from Ekiti collectively sponsored 13 bills, a relatively low number when compared to the total of 1,175 bills introduced within the period under review. Notably, none of these bills have been passed into law. The bills focused largely on anti-corruption, education, gender, agriculture, and health.
Some Ekiti members in the House seem to have abandoned one of the core functions of a legislator which is lawmaking as they had no bill to their names. For instance Rep. Bamisile Richard, who had served as speaker of the state house of assembly and now a second term member representing Emure/Gbonyin/Ekiti East federal constituency, failed to post any bill. Similarly Rep. Omoleye Francis, a first term member representing Ijero/Ekiti West/Efon federal constituency equally failed to sponsor a single bill.
Rep. Fatoba Olusola and Rep. Kolawole Akinlayo sponsored 2 bills each which are either awaiting report/ consideration or second reading stage. Rep. Ojuawo Adeniyi, a retired Air Vice Marshall, sponsored only 1 bill which focused on agriculture.
However, the spokesman of the House, Rep. Rotimi Akin Jr., a first-term member, sponsored a higher number of 8 bills with focus on anti-corruption, education, gender, agriculture, and health. While none of Akin’s bill has been passed some are either awaiting report/consideration or at second reading stage.
STAR CHECK: Find out more about the Ekiti 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.
