JUST IN: Akpabio Swears In 4 New Senators After Bye-Elections Victories

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday formally swore in four newly elected senators following their victories in the recent bye-elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The lawmakers inaugurated during plenary are Senator Olaka Nwogu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing Rivers South East Senatorial District; Senator Envulu Anza of the All Progressives Congress (APC), representing Nasarawa North Senatorial District; Senator Ikeje Asogwu of the APC, representing Enugu North Senatorial District; and Senator Dayo Faduyile of the APC, representing Ondo South Senatorial District.

Their inauguration followed the conduct of bye-elections last Saturday to fill vacancies that arose in the four senatorial districts due to deaths and political appointments.

The Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office to the new senators before they took their seats in the Red Chamber.

Welcoming the lawmakers, Senate President Akpabio described the Senate as “a family of the most elite club in the world” and urged them to see themselves as representatives of the entire Federal Republic of Nigeria rather than emissaries of their political parties.

He advised the lawmakers to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Senate Standing Orders, amended in 2023, to enable them effectively discharge their legislative duties.

“Your responsibility now transcends party affiliation. You are senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, entrusted with the responsibility of making laws and providing oversight for the good governance of our country,” Akpabio said.

The Rivers South East seat became vacant following the death of Senator Barinada Mpigi, leading to the election of former lawmaker Olaka Nwogu as his successor.

In Nasarawa North, Senator Envulu Anza emerged victorious in the bye-election conducted after the death of Senator Godiya Akwashiki.

Similarly, Senator Ikeje Asogwu was elected to represent Enugu North following the demise of Senator Okechukwu Ezea.

For Ondo South, the vacancy resulted from the appointment of former senator Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

The Senate had formally declared the seat vacant and requested INEC to conduct a bye-election, which produced Professor Dayo Faduyile as the new senator for the district.

In his remarks, Akpabio paid tribute to the deceased lawmakers whose passing necessitated some of the bye-elections.

He prayed for the repose of their souls and expressed hope that no further loss would be recorded in the chamber.

“I want to pray that Almighty God grants eternal rest to our departed colleagues and that no member of this chamber will lose his life again. Amen,” he said.

The Senate President also acknowledged the presence of governors, deputy governors, traditional rulers, party leaders and other dignitaries who accompanied the new senators to the National Assembly, describing their attendance as a demonstration of support for democratic governance.

The outcome of the bye-elections further strengthened the dominance of the ruling APC in the Senate, with the party winning three of the four contested seats, while the PDP secured one.

Following the inauguration of the four senators, the current composition of the 10th Senate stands as follows: “APC – 88 seats, ADC – 9 seats, PDP – 5 seats, NDC – 4 seats, APGA – 1 seat, Accord – 1 seat, Labour – 1 totaling 109.

The swearing-in restores full representation to the affected senatorial districts and enables the new lawmakers to immediately participate in legislative activities, committee assignments, and deliberations on key national issues.