By Lekan Sowande, Abuja.
The Nigerian Senate has formally sworn in two newly elected senators representing Edo Central and Anambra South senatorial districts.
The new senators are Joseph Ikpea of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who won the Edo central senatorial by-election, and Emmanuel Nwachukwu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who emerged from the Anambra south senatorial by-election.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, presided over the ceremony during plenary on Wednesday, with the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Ojo, administering the oaths of office and allegiance to the new lawmakers.
The swearing in follows recent by-elections conducted to fill two vacant Senate seats, one previously held by Senator Monday Okpebholo, now Governor of Edo State, and the other by the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who passed away in July 2024.
Before the ceremony, the Senate temporarily relaxed its rules to allow family members and dignitaries into the chamber to witness the event.
Among the high profile guests were former Delta State Governor, Mr. James Ibori; former Edo State Deputy Governor and Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Sports, Mr. Philip Shuaibu; Sly Ezeokenwa, APGA national chairman, and several members of the House of Representatives from Edo and Anambra states.
In his address, Senator Akpabio urged the new lawmakers to diligently study and abide by the Senate’s standing rules.
“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.
“Once you step into this chamber, you drop your party outside and come in here as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with the intention of carrying out and contributing to debates and other functions here as nationalists and keeping Nigeria constantly in mind,” he said.
He assured them of the support of their colleagues in navigating legislative responsibilities.
“Your colleagues who have been here will continue to assist you, so you will get used to the nuances of proceedings of lawmaking,” he added.
With the addition of Senators Ikpea and Nwachukwu, the Senate now retains its full complement of 109 members.