Joseph Ikpea of the All Progressives Congress (APC), representing Edo Central Senatorial District, and Emmanuel Nwachukwu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), representing Anambra South Senatorial District, both took their oath office as the new Senators of the Republic of Nigeria.
The oath taking ceremony which took place at the Senate chamber, during Wednesday’s plenary was to fill the vacant seats in the two senatorial districts following the bye-elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Ikpea emerged winner in the Edo Central Senatorial bye-election after the seat was declared vacant following the emergence of the former occupant, Senator Monday Okpebholo, as Governor of Edo State, while Nwachukwu won the Anambra South Senatorial bye-election following the demise of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
In his remarks, Senate President Akpabio congratulated the new senators and welcomed them to the “most elite legislative club in the world.”
Akpabio urged them to see their new mandate as a call to service and to work for the unity and progress of the country, beyond party lines.
He also charged the lawmakers to familiarize themselves with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Senate Standing Orders as amended in 2023, to enable them to function effectively and contribute meaningfully to legislative business.
The Senate President reminded all senators of the need to rededicate themselves to the ideals of patriotism and selfless service, adding that the current challenges facing the country require unity and commitment from all lawmakers irrespective of party affiliation.
Abuja Times reports that with the inauguration of the new lawmakers, the composition of the 10th Senate is now complete, bringing the total number of senators to 109. The APC currently holds 71 seats, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has 28, the Labour Party (LP) 5, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) 2, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) 2, while the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has 1.