Garba Mohammed
In a formal ceremony on Wednesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio administered the oath of office to two new senators — Joseph Ikpea of the All Progressives Congress (APC), representing Edo Central, and Emmanuel Nwachukwu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), representing Anambra South.
The swearing-in followed by-elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fill the vacant seats. The Edo Central seat became vacant after former Senator Monday Okpebholo was elected Governor of Edo State, while the Anambra South seat opened following the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, prompting a by-election contested by 12 political parties on August 16.
With the induction of Ikpea and Nwachukwu, the Senate composition now stands as:
APC: 71 seats
PDP: 28 seats
Labour Party (LP): 5 seats
New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP): 1 seat
Social Democratic Party (SDP): 2 seats
APGA: 2 seats, totaling 109 senators.
During the ceremony, Clerk of the Senate Emmanuel Odo administered the oath, while Akpabio welcomed the new senators into what he called “the most elite club in the world.” He urged them to focus on national interest over party lines, saying: “You are now senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not just representatives of your parties.”
Akpabio also advised them to thoroughly study the 1999 Constitution and the Senate Standing Orders (as amended in 2023) to guide their legislative duties.
Dignitaries present included former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori; former Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu; Lee Ikpea; and Samson Osagie, among others.