The Senate has welcomed four new members following their victories in the recent bye-elections conducted across Ondo, Nasarawa, Enugu and Rivers states, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio administering the oath of office to the lawmakers during plenary on Wednesday.
The newly inaugurated senators are Professor Francis Faduyile of the All Progressives Congress (APC), representing Ondo South Senatorial District; Barrister Danladi Halilu Envulu-Anza of the APC, representing Nasarawa North; Asogwa Ikeje Israel of the APC, representing Enugu North; and Chief Olaka Nwogu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District.
Professor Faduyile succeeds former Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who vacated his seat following his appointment as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Danladi Envulu-Anza takes over from the late Senator Godiya Akwashiki, who passed away in December 2025. In Enugu North, Asogwa Ikeje Israel replaces Senator Okey Ezea, whose death occurred in November 2025, while Olaka Nwogu assumes office after the demise of Senator Barry Mpigi in February 2026.
Presiding over the plenary session, Senate President Akpabio congratulated the new lawmakers and urged them to contribute meaningfully to legislative activities and national development. He also led senators in observing prayers for the repose of the souls of their departed colleagues, describing their deaths as a painful loss to the National Assembly and the country.
The swearing-in ceremony formally restores full representation to the affected senatorial districts, ensuring that constituents in the four states have their voices represented in the upper chamber after months of vacancies occasioned by death and diplomatic appointment.
With the inauguration of the new members, the political composition of the Senate has witnessed slight changes. The ruling All Progressives Congress further strengthened its dominance with 88 seats, consolidating its overwhelming majority in the 109-member chamber. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) now controls nine seats, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has five senators. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) holds four seats, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party (LP), and Accord Party each have one seat.
Political observers say the latest composition gives the APC greater numerical strength to advance government-backed legislation and influence key parliamentary decisions.
However, analysts note that effective lawmaking will still require bipartisan cooperation, particularly on issues relating to constitutional amendments, economic reforms and national security.
The successful conduct of the bye-elections and the prompt inauguration of the winners have also been hailed as a demonstration of continuity in Nigeria’s democratic process. The National Assembly is expected to continue deliberations on major national issues, including electoral reforms, budget implementation, security challenges and constitutional review, with the newly sworn-in senators now participating fully in committee assignments and legislative proceedings.
The development marks another chapter in the evolving composition of the 10th Senate, as lawmakers seek to address pressing national concerns while maintaining stability within the country’s legislative arm.
