By Abiola Olawale
The Nigerian Senate has officially sworn in two newly elected senators, Dr. Joseph Ikpea (APC, Edo Central) and Chief Emmanuel Nwachukwu (APGA, Anambra South), marking a fresh chapter in representation for their respective districts.
The swearing-in ceremony was presided over by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The swearing-in took place on Wednesday morning at approximately 11:51 a.m. in the Senate Chamber of the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
Both senators took the oath of allegiance, pledging their loyalty to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and vowing to prioritize national interests over partisan lines.
“Today, you have been called to national duty,” Akpabio declared during the session.
“You are no longer senators of your political parties; you are senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The New Diplomat reports that before the ceremony, the Senate temporarily relaxed its rules to allow family members and dignitaries into the chamber to witness the event.
Among the high-profile guests were former Delta State Governor James Ibori, former Edo State Deputy Governor and Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Sports Philip Shuaibu, and other prominent political figures.
This development follows victories in by-elections held on August 16, 2025, across 16 constituencies in 12 states, triggered by vacancies including the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah (Anambra South) in July 2024 and the elevation of Senator Monday Okpebholo to the governorship of Edo State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Ikpea the winner in Edo Central with an overwhelming 105,129 votes, defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Joe Okojie, who garnered 15,146 votes.
In Anambra South, Nwachukwu secured 90,408 votes for APGA, outpacing APC’s Azuka Okwuosa (19,847 votes) and ADC’s Donald Amangbo (2,889 votes).
