The composition of the Senate shifted further in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, following the swearing-in of four new senators during plenary at the National Assembly, Abuja.
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, administered the oath of office to the newly elected lawmakers. The Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office to the lawmakers before they formally assumed their positions.
The four senators are Olaka Nwogu of the Peoples Democratic Party representing Rivers South East, Envulu Anza of the APC representing Nasarawa North, Ikeje Asogwu of the APC representing Enugu North, and Dayo Faduyile of the APC representing Ondo South.
Their inauguration followed bye-elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission last Saturday to fill vacancies in the four senatorial districts. The Rivers South East seat became vacant following the death of Senator Barinada Mpigi. In Nasarawa North, Anza emerged after the death of Senator Godiya Akwaashiki. Asogwu succeeded the late Senator Okechukwu Ezea in Enugu North. Faduyile won the Ondo South seat following the appointment of former senator Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
With the addition of the four lawmakers, the APC’s strength in the upper legislative chamber rose to 88 members. The swearing-in restores representation to the four senatorial districts that had been vacant.
Congratulating the senators, Akpabio described the Senate as “a family of the most elite club in the world” and urged them to focus on nation-building rather than partisan interests. “You have arrived at a stage where service to the nation must take precedence over party considerations. Nigerians expect effective legislation, accountability and commitment to democratic governance,” he said.
Akpabio also reminded the lawmakers that they now serve as senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not merely representatives of their political parties. He advised them to familiarise themselves with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Senate Standing Orders 2023, noting that both documents are essential guides for effective legislative work.
