700 motions in two years? That’s true representation!

House of Reps Speaker, Tambuwal

It is really exciting going through the statistics of the mid-term score card of the House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. For a recap, the leadership of the House was elected on June 6, 2011 in an atmosphere that has served as a quick reminder of the goodness of team work and promotion of democratic tenets.
Two years into Tambuwal’s mandate, the House of Representatives has continued to set historical milestones in carrying out its constitutionally-assigned duties of representation, law-making and oversight. The statistics churned out at the celebration to mark the two years has surprised even the lawmakers themselves. With it all, the House of Representatives has set the pace in legislative activities in the country and it’s a bar the members are very anxious to exceed in the years to come.

Such anxiousness, according to Tambuwal, had led to the raising of a total of five hundred and twelve bills (512) all of which have passed first readings; passage of sixty (60) bills into law, and legislative work one hundred and thirty four (134) other bills. The bills have so far undergone second reading and are at Committee stage.
Now to the juicier part: for a House mandated to sit a total of 180 days in a year, it has passed a total of over seven hundred (700) motions raised on the floor and resolutions adopted on matters of concern to the citizens such as national disasters, communal violence, and governmental oppression among others. What this means, therefore, is that every year, Tambuwal’s House adopts an average of 350 motions in 180 days of legislative business. That is hard work; that is true representation.
The exemplary conduct of Tambuwal as the Speaker of the House in the last two years highlights the end of an era of self-representation, when lawmakers took decisions that were at variance with the wishes and aspirations of their constituents. Here and now, Tambuwal’s House is what a parliament should be: focused, vibrant, independent and one that gauges the pulse of the nation and works in tandem with the needs and desire of the people.
When it comes to the House of Representatives, it is a widely-held opinion that there is no public relations magic better than performance. Tambuwal’s performance has set the bar in governance. His courage and equanimity in the face of tough challenges have served as inspiration to his colleagues in the House to go about their duties without fear, or favour. Importantly, it has given Nigerians hope that in Tambuwal, they have a leader who can be trusted to deliver no matter whose ox is gored.
Two years down the line, the return on investment has come with appreciable successes. Such success has ensured unprecedented stability which has in turn laid the foundation for all that has been achieved so far.
As the Speaker pointed out, the credit for the stability goes to the members who have exhibited uncommon diligence, support, inspiration, selflessness, passion, maturity and willingness to sacrifice towards the promotion and preservation of the National Interest.
Another credit to Tambuwal and the House is that of consultative representation. As part of its agenda to remain true and faithful representatives, the House has consulted with the people of Nigeria on all critical issues. Of particular reference is the Peoples’ Public Sessions held in the 360 federal constituencies nationwide to avail the people the opportunity to participate in the making of their Constitution.