Akpabio swears in 4 new Senators following successful By-Elections

Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate, on Wednesday inaugurated four freshly elected senators who won seats in the recently concluded by-elections carried out by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

They are Olaka Nwogu of the Peoples Democratic Party representing the Rivers South-East Senatorial District; Envulu Anza of the All Progressives Congress representing the Nasarawa North; Ikeje Asogwu of the All Progressives Congress representing Enugu North; and Dayo Faduyile of the All Progressives Congress representing Ondo South.

This inauguration comes in the wake of by-elections conducted on Saturday to fill seats vacated by the demise of senators in the said senatorial districts.

While Rivers South-East seat was vacated due to the death of late senator Barinada Mpigi, Envulu Anza becomes the senator for Nasarawa North due to the death of late Godiya Akwashiki. Ikeje Asogwu becomes the replacement for late senator Okechukwu Ezea, while Dayo Faduyile fills the gap left by Jimoh Ibrahim who was appointed as Nigeria’s permanent representative to the United Nations.

It will be recalled that the certificate of return were handed to these senators on Tuesday by the INEC.

Emmanuel Odo, Clerk of the Senate, administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office to the senators.

While welcoming the senators into the Red Chamber, Akpabio congratulated them on their election and encouraged them to put national interest above all in the execution of their legislative functions.

Akpabio referred to the Senate as “a family of the most elite club in the world” while telling the lawmakers that they are now ambassadors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not just the various political parties from which they hail.

The Senate President further told the newly elected lawmakers to acquaint themselves with the content of the 1999 Constitution and the 2023 amended Senate Standing Orders in order to be able to execute their mandate effectively.

Some of the dignitaries who graced the occasion include the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo.