The Senate has sworn in four new senators who emerged victorious in the recent by-elections conducted to fill vacant seats in the Red Chamber.
The vacancies arose following the death of three senators and the appointment of one senator as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
The newly sworn in lawmakers are Olaka Nwogu Johnson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rivers South-East, Francis Dayo Faduyile of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ondo South, Asogwa Ikeje Israel of the APC, Enugu North, and Halilu Danladi Envulu-Aza of the APC, Nasarawa North.
President of the senate Godswill Akpabio administered the oath of office on the four lawmakers during plenary.
The new senators have about one year left to serve before the expiration of the current tenure of the 10th Senate.
Their inauguration brings the total number of senators in the chamber to 109, with the latest party composition now standing at APC – 88, ADC – 9, PDP – 5, NDC – 4, APGA – 1, and Accord – 1, Labour 1.
The four seats filled are Enugu North, Nasarawa North, Rivers South-East and Ondo South, which became vacant as a result of the death of three senators and the appointment of one lawmaker to a diplomatic position.
While welcoming the new senators, Senate President Akpabio prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed lawmakers and expressed hope that no further death would necessitate another swearing-in of this nature.
He said the new senators had been presented with copies of the 1999 Constitution and the Senate Standing Orders, which guide legislative proceedings, and urged them to familiarise themselves with the rules and conduct of the chamber.
Akpabio also congratulated returning senator Olaka Nwogu Johnson, noting that he had previously served in the 8th Senate under the leadership of former Senate President Bukola Saraki.
Dignitaries present in the chamber to witness the swearing-in include Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Ondo State Attorney-General, Kayode Ajulo, Olusola Oke, SAN, former lawmaker in the 9th senate Chukwuka Utazi and the Deputy Governor of Enugu State.