OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU looks at federal lawmakers who have spent over 15 t0 20 years at both chambers of the National Assembly undreds of lawmakers have passed through Nigeria’s National Assembly since the advent of the ongoing democratic experiment; the longest since the country came into existence through the 1914 amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates.
And since the present democratic rule started in 1999, many politicians have come and gone. However, a handful of these politicians have managed to remain in the National Assembly for decades, winning elections again and again, building influence and becoming familiar faces in the country’s legislative corridors as lawmakers.
While some have continued to serve since the Fourth Republic berthed in 1999, others have remained in parliament through multiple election cycles since the early 2000s. Their longevity in the legislature has often sparks debate, especially among analysts who examine their impacts to understand why people continue to choose them over others.
What is not in doubt, however, is that many of these legislative veterans have earned their place among the most experienced lawmakers in Nigerian National Assembly history.
This piece tries to identify Nigeria’s longest serving members of the National Assembly and how long they have stayed in Nigeria’s parliament.
Ahmad Lawan:
It is unlikely that any lawmaker in the National Assembly can match the staying power of Ahmad Lawan.
Lawan has remained in the National Assembly since 1999, when he was first elected as a member of the lower chamber of the National Assembly – the House of Representatives, where he began his legislative journey.
In 2007, after eight years in the House of Representatives, Lawan moved to the Senate in 2007 to represent Yobe North Senatorial District and has remain in the upper chamber for 19 years.
Rising through the ranks in the Senate, Lawan reached the pinnacle of legislative duties when he was elected Senate President in 2019.
With over two decades of legislative career, Lawan remains the longest serving member of the National Assembly and one of the most recognised lawmakers in the National Assembly.
Nicholas Mutu:
Perhaps, if we are looking for a lawmaker who understands the intrigues and working of the lower chamber of the National Assembly, we need not look further than Nicholas Mutu.
The Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency representative has been a member of the House of Representative’s since 1999, equalling Lawan’s record, but as the longest serving member of the lower chamber of the National Assembly.
Mutu has for over two and a half decades remains a constant recurring decimal in the House of Representatives, earning him the sobriquet ‘landlord’ among colleagues because of his long tenure.
Ali Ndume:
The second longest serving federal lawmakers is Ali Ndume. He is a veteran politician who became a federal lawmaker in 2003, following his election, first into the House of Representatives, before elevating to the Senate where he presently represent Borno South Senatorial District.
Ndume has held several leadership positions in the National Assembly, in the course of his legislative career, including Senate Leader and chairman of various standing and ad-hoc committees, emphasising his influence in legislative affairs.
Alhassan Doguwa:
Doguwa is another lawmaker whose tenure in the National Assembly has been long, spanning over two decades.
The Doguwa/ Tundun Wada federal constituency of Kano State representative was a member of parliament in the botched 3rd Republic and made a return to federal legislature in 2007 as a member of the lower chamber of the National Assembly where he has remained and has since made indelible marks.
Popular for his outspokenness, Doguwa has also occupied several leadership positions in the House.
Mohammed Monguno:
Another federal lawmaker with long service in the National Assembly is Mohammed Monguno, who has had a long legislative history stretching back decades.
Monguno was first elected into federal parliament in the truncated Third Republic, before making a grand return in the Fourth Republic in 2007, to represent Marte/Monguno/Nganzai Federal Constituency of Borno State, where he served four consecutive terms till 2023 when he transmuted to the Senate from the House of Representatives.
With almost two decades of membership of the National Assembly, Monguno’s extensive experience also bestowed on him the title of the most seasoned lawmaker in the Nigeria’s parliament.
Khadijat Bukar Abba-Ibrahim:
Abba-Ibrahim is arguably the longest serving and most prominent female federal lawmaker in the National Assembly – one of the most prominent female lawmakers in Nigeria’s legislature.
She represents Damaturu/Gujba/ Gulani/Tarmuwa Federal Constituency of Yobe State since 2007.
She had a short break from the legislature when she was appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in 2016, before returning to the House of Representatives in 2019 to continue representing her constituents to date.
Enyinnaya Abaribe:
Another long serving federal lawmaker is Enyinnaya Abaribe, who currently represents Abia South Senatorial District.
Abaribe has also been in the upper chamber of the National Assembly since 2007.
A well-recognised vocal and strong voice during Senate debates, the Abia State senator thrives on the reputation of being one of the most outspoken lawmakers in the National Assembly.
Idris Wase:
The Plateau State-born Idris Wase also became a member of federal legislature in 2007, representing the Wase Federal Constituency of Plateau State in the House of Representatives.
Climbing the legislative ladder over the years, Wase has held several leadership position in the House before climaxing his leadership servitude with the deputy speakership of the House in the 9th National Assembly.
Muktar Betara
Another long-serving lawmaker in the National Assembly is Muktar Betara, who has been a member of federal parliament since 2007, representing the good people of Biu/Bayo/Shani Federal Constituency of Borno State in the House of Representatives.
A widely recognised member of oversight and budget related committee of the House, Betara has continued to contribute to nationhood and legislative excellence in the lower chamber of the National Assembly.
Wole Oke:
Completing the list of longest-serving members of the National Assembly is the representative of Obòkun/Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun State, Wole Oke.
Oke was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2003, but had his membership truncated in 2011, before making a return in 2015 and joining the league of longest serving federal lawmakers.
In his almost two decades of legislative experience, Oke has been part of several legislative committees and initiatives in the House over the years.
Other notable federal lawmakers who have spent considerable number of years in the National Assembly and who could qualify to be counted among long-serving lawmakers include, Adamu Aliero, who became a senator in 2007, after a two-term tenure as governor of Kebbi State, and has continued to contribute to legislative experience in the Senate till date;
Also Adeola Olamilekan – popularly known as Yayi – was first elected into the House of Representatives in 2011, before moving to the Senate in 2015. He had represented Lagos West Senatorial District for two terms, before shifting allegiance to Ogun West Senatorial District in 2023, to represent Ogun West Senatorial District.
Last but not the least is former governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who was elected into the lower chamber of the National Assembly in 2003, before having a break between 2015 and 2023, to serve as governor of Sokoto State.
The former governor returned to the Senate in 2023.