Senate President Godswill Akpabio has inaugurated four newly elected senators who emerged victorious in recent bye-elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), restoring the Senate to its full constitutional strength of 109 members.
The new lawmakers are Olaka Nwogu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Danladi Envulu-Anza of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Israel Asogwa of the APC, and Dayo Faduyile of the APC.
The oath of office and allegiance was administered during Thursday’s plenary by Senate Clerk Emmanuel Odo. The swearing-in followed the conduct of bye-elections to fill vacancies created by deaths and a diplomatic appointment.
Envulu-Anza succeeded the late Godiya Akwashiki, while Asogwa replaced Okey Ezea, who died in November 2025. Nwogu emerged to fill the Rivers South-East seat left vacant following the death of Barinada Mpigi, while Faduyile took over the Ondo South seat after the appointment of Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
Several dignitaries accompanied the lawmakers to the chamber, including Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ifeanyi Ossai, former senator Chukwuka Utazi, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Olusola Oke.
Following the ceremony, Akpabio offered prayers for deceased lawmakers and urged the new senators to focus on national development.
“Whilst welcoming our four colleagues to the chambers, I want to pray that God Almighty should rest in peace those that departed and pray that nobody again, in this chamber, will lose his life,” he said.
The Senate President also congratulated the APC for securing three of the four seats and the PDP for winning one, while reminding the lawmakers to be guided by the 1999 Constitution and the Senate Standing Orders in carrying out their legislative duties.
With the inauguration, the Senate has returned to its full complement of 109 members. Based on the latest composition, the APC holds 88 seats, the ADC has nine, the PDP five, the NDC four, while APGA, Accord and the Labour Party hold one seat each.
Earlier, INEC presented certificates of return to the successful candidates. The commission’s chairman, Joash Amupitan, was represented by May Agbamuche-Mbu, who urged the senators to serve their constituents diligently and prioritise effective representation.
Akpabio Swears In Four New Senators After Bye-Elections
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has inaugurated four newly elected senators who emerged victorious in recent bye-elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), restoring the Senate to its full constitutional strength of 109 members.
The new lawmakers are Olaka Nwogu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Danladi Envulu-Anza of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Israel Asogwa of the APC, and Dayo Faduyile of the APC.
The oath of office and allegiance was administered during Thursday’s plenary by Senate Clerk Emmanuel Odo. The swearing-in followed the conduct of bye-elections to fill vacancies created by deaths and a diplomatic appointment.
Envulu-Anza succeeded the late Godiya Akwashiki, while Asogwa replaced Okey Ezea, who died in November 2025. Nwogu emerged to fill the Rivers South-East seat left vacant following the death of Barinada Mpigi, while Faduyile took over the Ondo South seat after the appointment of Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
Several dignitaries accompanied the lawmakers to the chamber, including Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ifeanyi Ossai, former senator Chukwuka Utazi, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Olusola Oke.
Following the ceremony, Akpabio offered prayers for deceased lawmakers and urged the new senators to focus on national development.
“Whilst welcoming our four colleagues to the chambers, I want to pray that God Almighty should rest in peace those that departed and pray that nobody again, in this chamber, will lose his life,” he said.
The Senate President also congratulated the APC for securing three of the four seats and the PDP for winning one, while reminding the lawmakers to be guided by the 1999 Constitution and the Senate Standing Orders in carrying out their legislative duties.
With the inauguration, the Senate has returned to its full complement of 109 members. Based on the latest composition, the APC holds 88 seats, the ADC has nine, the PDP five, the NDC four, while APGA, Accord and the Labour Party hold one seat each.
Earlier, INEC presented certificates of return to the successful candidates. The commission’s chairman, Joash Amupitan, was represented by May Agbamuche-Mbu, who urged the senators to serve their constituents diligently and prioritise effective representation.
