Full List: Victor Umeh, Abaribe, 22 Other Senators Fail to Sponsor Bills in First Year of 10th National Assembly

Nearly a year after their inauguration, 24 out of the 109 senators in Nigeria’s 10th Senate have yet to sponsor any bill. This lack of legislative activity contrasts sharply with their 85 colleagues, each of whom has sponsored at least one bill.

The 10th Senate was inaugurated on June 13, 2023. Since then, a total of 279 bills have been sponsored by senators from various parts of the country, from July 2023 to March 2024.

Lawmaking is a key function of the National Assembly, and the inactivity of a significant number of senators raises concerns about their legislative effectiveness.

Former Governors in the Senate

The Senate includes 14 former governors, though two—Senators David Umahi (APC, Ebonyi South) and Ibrahim Geidam (APC, Yobe East)—were appointed to ministerial positions by President Bola Tinubu, reducing the number of ex-governors in the Senate to 12. However, with Senator Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South) replacing Senator Napoleon Bali (PDP, Plateau South) in December 2023, the number stands at 13.

Out of these 13 former governors, nine have sponsored bills:

• Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North): 5 bills
• Godswill Akpabio (APC, Akwa Ibom North West): 2 bills
• Gbenga Daniel (APC, Ogun East): 4 bills
• Ibrahim Dankwambo (PDP, Gombe North): 3 bills
• Aminu Tambuwal (PDP, Sokoto South): 1 bill
• Sani Bello (APC, Niger North): 3 bills
• Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central): 2 bills
• Aliyu Wammako (APC, Sokoto North): 2 bills
• Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi Central): 1 bill

Four former governors have not sponsored any bills:

• Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North)
• Henry Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West)
• Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South)
• Abdulaziz Yari (APC, Zamfara West)

Senators Without Bills

In addition to the former governors, 20 other senators have not sponsored any bills. They include:

• Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe North)
• Victor Umeh (LP, Anambra Central)
• Oluwole Fasuyi Cyril (APC, Ekiti North)
• Titus Tartenger Zam (APC, Benue North-West)
• Peter Jiya (PDP, Niger South)
• Adegbonmire Adeniyi Ayodele (APC, Ondo Central)
• Oyewumi Kamorudeen Olalere (PDP, Osun West)
• Anthony Ani (APC, Ebonyi South)
• Imasuen Neda Bernards (LP, Edo South)
• Okechukwu Ezea (LP, Enugu North)
• Chukwu Chizoba (LP, Enugu East)
• Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central)
• Khabeeb Mustapha (PDP, Jigawa South West)
• Kaila Samaila Dahuwa (PDP, Bauchi North)
• Rufai Hanga (NNPP, Kano Central)
• Abdulaziz Yar’Adua (APC, Katsina Central)
• Mohammed Dandutse Muntari (APC, Katsina South)
• Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South)
• Pam Dachungyang (ADP, Plateau North)
• Onyesoh Allwell Heacho (PDP, Rivers East)

Active Legislators

• Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) leads with 23 bills, primarily from the Executive Arm. Other notable sponsors include:
• Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North): 17 bills
• Sani Musa (APC, Niger East): 8 bills
• Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West): 7 bills