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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The swearing-in of Joseph Ikpea and Emmanuel Nwachukwu representing Edo Central and Anambra South Senatorial Districts respectively on Wednesday has made the Senate regain its full Membership of 109 senators.
Both senators took their oaths of office and allegiance on Wednesday during a plenary presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, with the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, administering the oaths.
Senator Ikpea was elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Senator Nwachukwu emerged under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Their elections came after September’s by-elections held to fill the vacancies left by Senator Monday Okpebholo, now the governor of Edo State and the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who died in July 2024.
In his address, Senate President Akpabio congratulated the new members, describing their election as a “call to service.” He urged them to familiarize themselves with the 1999 Constitution and the Senate Standing Orders (as amended in 2023) to effectively discharge their legislative duties.
“Today, you have been called to national duty. You are no longer senators of your political parties; you are senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Akpabio declared.
He further assured them of the Senate’s collective support as they settled into their new roles. “Your colleagues who have been here will continue to assist you, so you will get used to the nuances of lawmaking,” he added.
Among those in attendance at the ceremony were former Delta State Governor James Ibori, former Edo Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, APGA National Chairman Sly Ezeokenwa, and several members of the House of Representatives from Edo and Anambra States.