The Senate, on Wednesday, officially swore in Joseph Ikpea of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Emmanuel Nwachukwu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as new members of the upper legislative chamber. Ikpea now represents Edo Central Senatorial District, while Nwachukwu represents Anambra South.
Their inauguration followed bye-elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fill the vacant Senate seats in both districts. The Edo Central seat became vacant after Senator Monday Okpebholo, who previously occupied the position, was elected Governor of Edo State.
In Anambra South, the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah created a vacancy that led to the August 16 bye-election contested by 12 political parties.The Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, administered the oath of office and allegiance to the two senators during plenary.
The ceremony was presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who welcomed the lawmakers and urged them to commit themselves to national service beyond party lines.Akpabio advised the new senators to study the 1999 Constitution and the Senate Standing Orders (amended in 2023) to help them perform effectively in their legislative duties.
With the swearing-in of Ikpea and Nwachukwu, the current composition of the Senate now stands at 71 senators from the APC, 28 from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), five from the Labour Party (LP), two from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), one from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and two from APGA, making a total of 109 senators.
Several dignitaries, including former Delta State Governor James Ibori, former Edo Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, Lee Ikpea, and Samson Osagie, attended the ceremony at the Senate chamber.