In the aftermath of of OrderPaper’s 10th National Assembly report cards, Rep. Akin Alabi sponsors 11 bills in two consecutive plenary sittings.
After OrderPaper‘s performance appraisals of the 10th National Assembly revealed that he did not sponsor any bill in his first year in office, member representing Egbeda/Ona-Ara federal constituency, Oyo state, Rep. Akin Alabi, has sponsored a total of eleven bills in the last two plenary sittings held Tuesday and Wednesday. These bills, which have all passed first reading and now awaiting second reading, indicates a response to the performance report cards of the 10th assembly lawmakers published by OrderPaper.
In a democracy, the power of the people extends far beyond the ballot box. The true strength of a representative government lies in the ongoing engagement and vigilance of its citizens. For the past five years, OrderPaper, Nigeria’s foremost parliamentary monitoring organization, has been at the forefront of fostering this engagement through its comprehensive performance appraisals of the national assembly. These assessments have not only shed light on the performance of legislators but have also catalyzed a significant shift in how elected officials approach their duties.
By meticulously reviewing and publicizing the performance of legislators, particularly their bill sponsorship activities, OrderPaper has created a powerful tool for accountability. The widespread support and accolades these appraisals have received, even from the legislators themselves, underscore their credibility and impact.
10TH NASS REPORT CARD: Read up on the performance of other senators and members of the House and other specialized categories here
The case of Rep. Alabi serves as a striking example of the impact of the report cards. Between June 2023 and May 2024, he was among seven lawmakers from Oyo state who sponsored zero bill. This revelation came as a surprise to many, given his active social media presence and public persona as an engaged lawmaker.
However, the story took a dramatic turn on October 8th, when OrderPaper’s Billsboard reported that Rep. Alabi presented eleven bills in two consecutive plenary session. This sudden burst of legislative activity strongly suggests a direct response to the report card. It demonstrates not only that lawmakers are acutely aware of these performance evaluations but also that they are willing to take swift action to improve their rating.
The impact of OrderPaper‘s appraisals extends beyond individual responses. By creating a culture of accountability, the end results are guaranteed to be encouraging proactive legislation, educating the electorate and even fostering healthy competition between lawmakers.
While OrderPaper’s work is invaluable, it also highlights the crucial role that citizens must play in a thriving democracy. The right to elect representatives comes with the responsibility to hold them accountable.
