Photo caption: Senate President, Godswill Akpabio
The Senate on Wednesday formally swore in two newly elected lawmakers, Joseph Ikpea and Emmanuel Nwachukwu, representing Edo Central and Anambra South senatorial districts, respectively.
Channels TV reports that the swearing-in, which took place during plenary, was presided over by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, while the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Ojo, administered the oaths of office and allegiance.
The development followed the recent by-elections conducted to fill two vacant seats.
One of the seats was previously occupied by Monday Okpebholo, now Governor of Edo State, and the other by the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who died in July 2024.
Before the ceremony, the Senate temporarily suspended its rules to allow family members and dignitaries into the chamber to witness the event.
Among those in attendance were former Delta State Governor, James Ibori; former Edo State Deputy Governor and Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Sports, Philip Shaibu; and other political figures.
Akpabio urged the new senators to familiarise themselves with and abide by the Senate’s standing rules in the discharge of their legislative duties.
With their inauguration, the Senate now has its full complement of 109 members.
