Senate Seats Filled as Akpabio Swears In Four New Lawmakers

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

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

Their inauguration formally fills vacancies that emerged in the Senate following the deaths of serving lawmakers and the appointment of a senator to a diplomatic position.

INEC conducted the bye-elections last Saturday to fill the four vacant seats across the affected senatorial districts.

In Rivers State, Olaka Nwogu emerged victorious in the Rivers South East Senatorial District election following the death of former senator Barinada Mpigi.

Envulu Anza was elected to represent Nasarawa North after the death of Senator Godiya Akwaashiki.

In Enugu State, Ikeje Asogwu succeeded the late Senator Okechukwu Ezea, whose death created the vacancy in Enugu North Senatorial District.

For Ondo South, Dayo Faduyile secured the seat following the appointment of former senator Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

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

Their swearing-in restores full representation to the affected senatorial districts and expands the number of lawmakers participating in legislative activities in the upper chamber.

Addressing the newly inaugurated lawmakers, Senate President Akpabio congratulated them on their election victories and welcomed them to what he described as one of the most distinguished legislative institutions in the world.

He urged the senators to approach their responsibilities with a strong sense of national duty and commitment to public service.

According to him, their primary obligation is now to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people they represent, rather than to the political parties under whose platforms they were elected.

Akpabio also encouraged 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 carry out their legislative responsibilities.

The addition of the four senators comes at a time when the National Assembly is considering key legislative proposals and engaging with major national issues, including security, economic reforms and governance matters.

With their inauguration completed, the lawmakers are expected to immediately participate in Senate proceedings, committee assignments and legislative debates affecting their constituencies and the nation at large.

Their arrival also ensures that the people of Rivers South East, Nasarawa North, Enugu North and Ondo South regain full representation in the Senate following the vacancies that had existed in the affected districts.