The Senate, on Wednesday, restored its full complement of 109 members with the swearing-in of Joseph Ikpea and Emmanuel Nwachukwu, representing Edo Central and Anambra South Senatorial Districts, respectively.
Senators Ikpea of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Nwachukwu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) were inaugurated following the by-elections held in September to fill the vacancies created by the exit of Senator Monday Okpebholo, now Governor of Edo State, and the demise of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in July 2024.
The ceremony, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, saw the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, administer the oaths of office and allegiance to the new legislators.
In his remarks, Akpabio described their election as a call to national service, urging them to familiarize themselves with the 1999 Constitution and the Senate Standing Orders (as amended in 2023) to effectively discharge their legislative responsibilities.
“Today, you have been called to national duty. You are no longer senators of your political parties; you are senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Akpabio stated.
He further assured the new senators of the support of their colleagues in settling into their legislative duties, saying, “Your colleagues who have been here will continue to assist you, so you will get used to the nuances of lawmaking.”
Among dignitaries in attendance were former Delta State Governor James Ibori, former Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, APGA National Chairman Sly Ezeokenwa, and several members of the House of Representatives from Edo and Anambra States.
