With the 2023 National Assembly elections just about sixty days away, we commence a review of lawmakers’ performance in the Ninth National Assembly. This scorecard highlights the bills tally of lawmakers from Benue State.
According to data from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the North Central state has fourteen lawmakers in the federal parliament, comprising three Senators and eleven members of the House of Representatives.
SENATORS’ SCORECARD
For the third year, Senator Abba Moro representing Benue South sponsored the highest number of bills in the period under review. The former Interior Minister, a first-time lawmaker, has sponsored 12 bills since the inauguration of the current National Assembly.
On the same tally with Senator Moro is Senator Emmanuel Yisa Orker-Jev representing Benue North West. A three-time member of the House of Representatives representing Buruku Federal Constituency before his election to the Red Chamber in 2019, the lawmaker has sponsored 12 bills.
Governor of Benue State between 2007 and 2015, Gabriel Suswam representing Benue North East Senatorial District, is the third lawmaker from the state in the Red Chamber. In the last three years of the Ninth Assembly, the former member of the House of Representatives representing Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo Federal Constituency has sponsored seven bills thus far.
READ ALSO: Senator Aduda increases bill tally by 3 | The National Assembly Scorecard
SCORECARD FOR MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Rep. John Dyegh, representing Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency, leads the State delegation in the Green Chamber in bill sponsorship. The three-term lawmaker has 14 Bills to his credit, including the Electoral Offences Commission Bill, which is currently at the Committee Stage.
The lawmaker representing Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo Federal Constituency, Rep. Iorkyaw Richard Gbande has seven bills in his kitty; while Rep. Mzondu Benjamin representing Makurdi/Gum Federal Constituency, has sponsored six bills in the period under review. Interestingly, both lawmakers are members of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
Rep. Francis Ottah Agbo representing Ado/Ogbadigbo/Opokwu Federal Constituency, and Rep. Kpam Jimin Sokpo representing Buruku Federal Constituency, have both sponsored four bills each. They are closely followed by Rep. Tyough Robert Aondona of Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency, who has three bills in his kitty.
Also tied on the same tally is Rep. Samson Oku of Oju/Obi Federal Constituency and Blessing Onuh Onyeche of Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency, with two bills, respectively.
The trio of Herman Hembe (Konshisha/Vandeikya), Mark Terser Gbillah (Guma East/Guma West), and Godday Samuel Odagboyi (Apa/Agatu) are the only members of the Benue State delegation without a bill. Incidentally, the trio are members of the Labour Party (LP).
Editor’s Note:
OrderPaper’s appraisal of lawmakers in the core areas of lawmaking is without prejudice to the lawmaker’s performance in the areas of oversight and representation.
Ibrahim Tanko Gaddafi
Ibrahim Gaddafi Tanko is a celebrated opinion writer, contributor to several frontline national tabloids in Nigeria and holds a Bachelor of Law Degree (LLB) from the Taraba State University. He has a huge flair for journalism with particular interest in issues concerning governance, politics, the legislature, humanitarian affairs, and climate change.
