Akpabio swears in four senators-elect after by-elections

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

The lawmakers sworn in during plenary are Olaka Nwogu of the Peoples Democratic Party representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Envulu Anza of the All Progressives Congress representing Nasarawa North, Ikeje Asogwu of the APC representing Enugu North, and Dayo Faduyile of the APC representing Ondo South.

The inauguration followed last Saturday’s by-elections conducted to fill vacancies in the four senatorial districts.

The Rivers South-East seat became vacant after the death of former senator Barinada Mpigi, while Anza emerged as senator for Nasarawa North following the death of Godiya Akwashiki. Asogwu replaced the late Okechukwu Ezea, while Faduyile filled the vacancy created by the appointment of former senator Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Emmanuel Odo, the clerk of the senate administered the oath of allegiance and oath of office to the four lawmakers before they formally took their seats in the Red Chamber.

Welcoming the new senators, Akpabio congratulated them on their electoral victories and urged them to place national interest above partisan considerations in the discharge of their legislative responsibilities.

He described the Senate as “a family of the most elite club in the world” and reminded the lawmakers that their primary responsibility was to represent the people of Nigeria.

The Senate President also advised the lawmakers to familiarise themselves with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Senate Standing Orders, as amended in 2023, to enable them effectively perform their duties.

Among dignitaries present at the ceremony were Lucky Aiyedatiwa and  Kayode Ajulo, the Ondo state attorney-general and commissioner for justice, alongside other government officials and political stakeholders.