Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday administered the oath of office to two newly elected senators, Joseph Ikpea (Edo Central) and Emmanuel Nwachukwu (Anambra South), formally inducting them into the 10th Senate.

The ceremony, which took place at exactly 11:51 a.m., saw Emmanuel Odo, acting clerk of the Senate, administer the oath of allegiance to the lawmakers.

Speaking to the new senators, Akpabio described their election as a “call to national service.” He urged them to rise above partisan politics, saying, “Today, you have been called to national duty. You are no longer senators of your political parties; you are senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

He assured them of the support of their colleagues, noting that the guidance of experienced senators would help them navigate the complexities of lawmaking.

Among dignitaries present at the event were former Delta State Governor James Ibori, former Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, APGA National Chairman Sly Ezeokenwa, and several members of the House of Representatives from Edo and Anambra states.

In the elections, Nwachukwu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) secured 90,408 votes, defeating his closest rival, Azuka Okwuosa of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 19,847 votes. In Edo Central, Ikpea of the APC won with 105,129 votes, defeating Joe Okojie of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 15,146 votes.

With their induction, both senators are expected to immediately take their place in the ongoing legislative activities of the National Assembly.