The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday administered the oath of office to four newly elected senators following their victories in the recent by-elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The new lawmakers 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; Ikeje Asogwu of the APC, representing Enugu North; and Dayo Faduyile of the APC, representing Ondo South.
Their inauguration took place during plenary at the National Assembly after the by-elections held last Saturday to fill vacant seats in the Senate.
The Rivers South-East seat became vacant following the death of former senator Barinada Mpigi, while Anza was elected to represent Nasarawa North after the passing of former senator Godiya Akwashiki.
Asogwu succeeded the late Okechukwu Ezea in Enugu North, while Faduyile filled the vacancy created by 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 lawmakers before they officially took their seats in the Red Chamber.
Congratulating the senators on their election, Akpabio urged them to place national interest above partisan considerations in the discharge of their legislative responsibilities.
He described the Senate as an elite institution and reminded the new members that their primary duty is to represent the interests of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Senate President also encouraged them to acquaint themselves with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Senate Standing Orders, as amended in 2023, to ensure effective participation in legislative activities.
Dignitaries present at the swearing-in ceremony included Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, among others.
