The Senate on Wednesday swore in two new members Joseph Ikpea of the All Progressives Congress (APC), representing Edo Central, and Emmanuel Nwachukwu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), representing Anambra South.
Their swearing-in followed the bye-elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fill the vacant seats in both senatorial districts.
INEC had earlier declared the Edo Central seat vacant after its former occupant, Senator Monday Okpebholo, was elected Governor of Edo State, paving the way for Ikpea’s emergence. In Anambra South, the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah created a vacancy, prompting a by-election contested by 12 political parties on August 16, which Nwachukwu won.
With their addition, the Senate now comprises 71 APC senators, 28 from the PDP, five from the Labour Party (LP), two from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), two from APGA, and one from the NNPP bringing the total number of senators to 109.
The Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, administered the oath of office and allegiance to both lawmakers during Thursday’s plenary.
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio congratulated the new senators and described the Senate as “one of the most elite clubs in the world.” He urged them to serve diligently and focus on actions that would promote national progress, emphasizing that they now represent the entire Federal Republic of Nigeria beyond party lines.
Akpabio also advised them to thoroughly study the 1999 Constitution and the Senate Standing Orders (as amended in 2023) to guide their legislative duties.
Present at the chamber to witness the ceremony were former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori; former Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu; Lee Ikpea; Samson Osagie, among others.
Appreciating their presence, Akpabio lightheartedly added, “Including the women, so that they will not say that I do not like women.
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