Group rates Kwara legislators, unveil findings

A national project for the assessment of legislators performance in Nigeria known as Legislative Watch, organized by a pro-democracy group, Kwara Must Change, has carried out rating of legislators in Kwara state.
In a statement by convener of group, Mallam Abdulrazaq Hamzat, the rating of both state and federal legislators, carried out within a year, was based on verifiable standard that is inline with global best standard.
He also said that Legislative Watch is a professional project and apolitical.
Hamzat explained that more than 90 per cent of members of the state House of Assembly scored below average, signifying worsening state of legislative understanding, while more than 80 per cent of members of federal House of Representatives also scored below average.
“Legislative Watch key findings indicates that quality representation, legislative advancement, executive oversight and constituency project are key elements of legislative engagement and based on the above criteria, Senator Sadiq Umar from Kwara North senatorial district emerged as most performing lawmaker in Kwara state.
“Hon Bio Omar from Baruten/Kiaiama federal constituency and Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Danladi Salihu, emerged as most performing member of federal house of Representatives and Kwara State House of Assembly respectively.
“Similarly, Hon Yekini Alajagusi from Ilorin West/Asa, Hon Tijanni Ismaila from Offa/Oyun and Ifelodun federal constituency and Hon Abdulganiyu Cook Olododo from Ilorin South/East emerged as least performing lawmakers from Kwara State.
“Legislative Watch also discovered that, most members of Kwara State House of Assembly have limited understanding of legislative engagement and the deputy speaker of the house, Rt Hon Raphael Adetiba and 9 others emerged as least performing members of the house.