Senator Amos Yohanna’s One and Half Year in Office: Setting the records straight

Senator Amos Yohanna’s One and a Half Years in Office: Setting the records straight

In exactly a month from today, Distinguished Senator Amos K. Yohanna will clock one and a half years in office, having been sworn in as senator, representing the great people of Adamawa North Senatorial District at the National Assembly. His stewardship at the Upper Chamber has been eventful and filled with impacts, as he, without any waste of time, hit the ground running and has ticked all the boxes that make up a sound legislative representation as enshrined in Section 4 of the Nigerian Constitution.

Typical of a political setting like ours, some armchair critics have emerged, either out of sheer ignorance or an orchestrated attempt to mislead the public, to dish out fallacious narratives claiming that the Adamawa North senator has “not passed” a single bill since his emergence on October 25, 2023, even when it was widely reported weeks ago that his bills have successfully passed first reading and they are ready for the second.

For the purpose of clarification and public education, it is imperative to enlighten these individuals that it is not the responsibility of the Legislature to pass a bill into law. That is the sole prerogative of the executive arm of government. The Constitution empowers the Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, or the House of Assembly (at the state levels) to sponsor legislation in the form of bills or motions.

Also READ: Senator Amos Yohanna: A Transformative Leader Elevating Adamawa North

These bills pass through some stages: first and second readings, committee stage, and third reading before passing it to the president or governor for assent before passing it into law. Where these persons learned that the Senators or Members can pass laws is a big mystery to be uncovered. It is either that they were wrongly taught or that they have an agenda they are pushing at this moment.

For the record, Senator Yohanna’s two bills are currently awaiting a second reading, and these two will certainly not be the last. Succinctly put, his Bill on Public Infrastructure Maintenance, 2025, seeks to establish a formidable legal and legislative framework that ensures that public facilities in Nigeria are not only properly maintained but also governed by clear regulations to prevent misuse and deterioration. Apparently, the benefit of this bill is that, when passed, it will enhance the longevity of critical national assets, ultimately fostering sustainable development in Nigeria.

On the other hand, the Federal University of Agriculture Act Amendment Bill is designed to provide the newly established Federal University of Agriculture Mubi with the necessary legal backing for its seamless operation. Hitherto, this new citadel of learning was only established by an executive fiat, with no legislation to back its creation or continuous operations. The distinguished lawmaker, in a proactive move, swiftly moved to fill this gap with the objective of leaving no stone unturned for this promising institution.

Also READ: 2027: Journey to Adamawa Govt House begins, as Senators, Bankers show interest

It is important at this juncture to reiterate that at the core of his one and a half years in office, the distinguished senator is ONLY focused on providing quality representation to the people of Adamawa North, and he will not be distracted by these kinds of narratives that are only out to smear, malign, and find dust where there is none. His political brand represents a big paradigm shift from the old order to a new normal, only characterized by prioritizing the needs of his constituents. It is not about sending out empty, misleading, and divisive propaganda; it’s about restoring the dignity of his people, the lives he touches, and the smiles he ignites.

Victor Kwambuge, PhD
Senior Legislative Aide to the Senator