Posted by Chinenye on Wed 24th Jun, 2026 - tori.ng
The Nigerian Senate has been strengthened with the swearing-in of four new lawmakers following bye-elections held across Ondo, Nasarawa, Enugu and Rivers States.
(Godswill Akpabio. Photo by Guardian Nigeria News)
Four newly elected senators have been sworn into the Nigerian Senate following bye-elections held last Saturday, filling vacancies across Ondo, Nasarawa, Enugu and Rivers States.
The new lawmakers are Professor Francis Faduyile, representing Ondo South under the All Progressives Congress, who takes the seat vacated by Jimoh Ibrahim following his appointment as Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations; Barrister Danladi Halilu Envulu-Anza, representing Nasarawa North under the APC, who replaces Senator Godiya Akwashiki who d!ed in December 2025; Asogwa Ikeje Israel, representing Enugu North under the APC, who fills the seat left vacant by the passing of Senator Okey Ezea in November 2025; and Olaka Nwogu, representing Rivers South East under the Peoples Democratic Party, who succeeds Senator Barry Mpigi who d!ed in February 2026.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the plenary, offered prayers for the repose of the souls of the departed lawmakers before congratulating the incoming senators.
With the swearing-in, the APC now holds 88 seats in the 109-member Senate, followed by the ADC with 9, PDP with 5, NDC with 4, APGA with 1, Labour Party with 1 and Accord with 1.