Akpabio inaugurates Ikpea, Nwachukwu as senators for Edo, Anambra

Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday swore in two newly elected senators to represent Edo central and Anambra south districts.

The new senators are Joseph Ikpea of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who won the Edo central senatorial by-election, and Emmanuel Nwachukwu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who emerged from the Anambra south senatorial by-election.

The swearing-in took place at exactly 11:51am after the senators were formally admitted into the red chamber by Akpabio.

Emmanuel Odo, acting clerk of the senate, administered the oath of allegiance to the lawmakers.

Addressing the new senators, Akpabio said their election is a call to service.

“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,” he said.

He assured them of the support of their colleagues in navigating legislative responsibilities.

“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 present at the ceremony were James Ibori, former governor of Delta state; Philip Shaibu, former deputy governor of Edo state; Sly Ezeokenwa, APGA national chairman; and several members of the house of representatives from Edo and Anambra states.

Nwachukwu scored 90,408 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Azuka Okwuosa of the APC, who polled 19,847 votes.

Ikpea polled 105,129 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Joe Okojie of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 15,146 votes.