The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday swore in Joseph Ikpea and Emmanuel Nwachukwu as senators representing Edo Central and Anambra South, respectively.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio presided over the ceremony during plenary, while the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Ojo, administered the oaths of office and allegiance.

Their induction followed by-elections held to replace former Senator Monday Okpebholo, now Governor of Edo State, and the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who passed away in July 2024.

Before the ceremony, the Senate briefly suspended its standing rules to allow family members and dignitaries into the chamber to witness the occasion.

Among the notable guests were former Delta State Governor James Ibori, former Edo State Deputy Governor and current Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Sports Philip Shaibu, and several other political figures.

Akpabio congratulated the new lawmakers and urged them to study the Senate’s rules and uphold its legislative standards.

With Ikpea and Nwachukwu’s swearing-in, the Senate now has a full complement of 109 members.