Akpabio Swears in Four Senators Elected in By‑Elections

On Wednesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio administered the oath of office to four senators who had been elected in recent by‑elections held by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

During the plenary session, the newly sworn‑in senators were Olaka Nwogu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Rivers South‑East, Envulu Anz of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Nasarawa North, Ikeje Asogwu of the APC for Enugu North, and Dayo Faduyile of the APC for Ondo South.

The by‑elections, held the previous Saturday, were conducted to fill vacancies that arose from the deaths of sitting senators and from appointments to other positions.

Nwogu will occupy the Rivers South‑East seat that became vacant following the death of former senator Barinada Mpigi, while Anz succeeded the late Godiya Akwashiki in Nasarawa North.

Asogwu replaced the late Okechukwu Ezea in Enugu North, and Faduyile filled the vacancy left by former senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who was appointed Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

INEC presented certificates of return to the newly elected senators on Tuesday.

Clerk of the Senate Emmanuel Odo administered the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Office on Wednesday, formally welcoming the new senators into the Red Chamber.

After the inauguration, Akpabio congratulated the senators on their victories and urged them to prioritize national interest over partisan concerns in carrying out their duties.

He described the Senate as “a family of the most elite club in the world,” emphasizing that the senators now represent the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not their political parties.

Akpabio also urged the new senators to familiarize themselves with the 1999 Constitution and the Senate Standing Orders, as amended in 2023, so they can effectively perform their legislative duties.