According to findings by Daily Trust, four out of the 13 former governors currently serving in the Senate, along with 21 other senators, have not sponsored any bills since the inception of the 10th National Assembly on June 13, 2023,Daily Trust reports.
The ex-governors among the non-sponsoring senators are Senate President Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe), Abubakar Bello (Niger), Orji Kalu (Abia), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Adamu Aliero (Kebbi), Danjuma Goje (Gombe), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), and Simon Lalong (Plateau).
Records obtained from the National Assembly indicate that, between June 13, 2023, and March 14, 2024, a total of 25 senators, including four former governors, have not sponsored any bills. Among them are Senators Seriake Dickson (PDP-Bayelsa West), Adams Oshiomhole (APC-Edo North), Abdulaziz Yari (APC -Zamfara West), and Simon Lalong (APC – Plateau South). Notably, Lalong assumed office in December 2023 following a court ruling that declared him the winner of the election.
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Other senators who have yet to sponsor bills during this period include Victor Umeh (Anambra Central), Titus Tartenger Zam (Benue North West), Anthony Ani (Ebonyi South), Imasuen Neda Bernards (Edo South), Oluwole Fasuyi Cyril (Ekiti North), Okechukwu Ezea (Enugu North), Chukwu Chizoba (Enugu East), Kaila Samaila Dahuwa (Bauchi North), Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central), Khabeeb Mustapha (Jigawa South West), Rufai Hanga (Kano Central), Abdulaziz Yar’adua (Katsina Central), Mohammed Dandutse Muntari (Katsina South), Peter Jiya (Niger South), Adegbonmire Adeniyi Ayodele (Ondo Central), Oyewumi Kamorudeen Olalere (Osun West), Pam Dachungyang (Plateau North), Onyesoh Allwell Heacho (Rivers East), Ibrahim Lamido (Sokoto East), Manu Haruna (Taraba Central), and Musa Mustapha (Yobe East).
In response to inquiries, Senator Oshiomhole disclosed that he is in the process of drafting a bill and intends to present it to the Senate soon. Similarly, Senator Lalong’s spokesperson assured that his principal will introduce bills in due course.
Senators Dickson and Yari did not provide comments despite multiple attempts to reach them.
Analysts have urged the non-sponsoring former governors to increase their legislative activities to fulfill their mandates and contribute meaningfully to national development. They emphasized the importance of patriotism and effective governance in advancing the country’s interests.
