By Our Correspondent
The Senate inaugurated two senators elected in the last bye election, Ikpea Joseph (Edo Central) and Nwachukwu Emmanuel (Anambra South) at its plenary on Wednesday.
The senators took their oath of allegiance to the Nigerian people and the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria
The new Senator Ikpea Joseph (APC Edo Central) takes the place of Senator Monday Okpebholo who is now the governor of Edo state from the APC, while Senator Nwachukwu Emmanuel Chibuzor (APGA Anambra South) takes the place of late Senator Ifeanyi Uba.
Among the guests who accompanied the senators are some politicians Akpabio referred to as “timbers and caterpillars” among whom were Chief James Ibori, former governor of Delta state, Dr. Lekan Ikpea, a brother of Senator Ikpea Joseph, a distinguished businessman, Philip Shaibu, former deputy governor of Edo state also the director-general of the Nigerian Institute of Sports, grooming young ones for the future.
Akpabio welcomed the two senators to what he called “the prestigious club of the Nigerian Senate”.
He said “All over the world, at any border post that you introduce yourself as a senator, you are given the right respect. So we congratulate you on your election and congratulate members of your family for their prayers and their support”.
According to him the new senators are no longer senators of your political party, you are a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Once you step into this chamber, you drop your party outside and come in here as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with the intention of carrying out and contributing to debates and other functions here as a nationalist and keeping Nigeria constantly in mind”.
