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The Senate on Wednesday swore in two new lawmakers; Joseph Ikpea and Emmanuel Nwachukwu representing Edo Central and Anambra South Senatorial Districts, respectively.
Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, presided over the brief ceremony during plenary, while Emmanuel Ojo, the Clerk of the Senate, administered the oaths of office and allegiance to the new senators.
Their swearing-in followed the by-elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fill vacant seats in both districts.
INEC had earlier declared the Edo Central seat vacant after its former occupant, Monday Okpebholo, emerged as Governor of Edo State, paving the way for Ikpea’s election.
Similarly, the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who previously represented Anambra South, prompted a by-election contested by 12 political parties on August 16, resulting in Nwachukwu’s victory.
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In his remarks, Akpabio congratulated the new lawmakers and described the Senate as “one of the most elite clubs in the world.” He urged them to stay focused and prioritize actions that will advance national development.
“You are no longer a Senator of your political party.
“You are a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Once you step into this chamber, you drop your party outside and come in here as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with the intention of carrying out and contributing to debates and other functions here as a nationalist and keeping Nigeria constantly in mind.”
He added, “Your colleagues who have been here will continue to assist you so that you get used to the nuances of proceedings of lawmaking. I must say that we are giving you two items today. One is the Nigerian Constitution, which you must try to imbibe the contents.
“It’s not just a ceremony. It’s to let you know that that’s the ground law and that all authority in this hallowed chamber comes through the Nigerian Constitution. The second one that we are giving you, which you must start reading from today, is the Senate Standing Orders 2023 as amended.”
Among those present at the ceremony were James Ibori, former Delta State Governor; Philip Shaibu, former Edo State Deputy Governor; Lee Ikpea and Samson Osagie, among others.
Akpabio also acknowledged the presence of female guests, jokingly adding, “Including the women, so that they will not say that I do not like women.”
