Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday formally inaugurated Dr. Dayo Faduyile and three other newly elected senators following their victories in the recent senatorial by-elections conducted across the country.
Faduyile, who emerged winner of the Ondo South Senatorial District by-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was sworn in alongside Envulu Anza of Nasarawa North, Ikeje Asogwu of Enugu North, and Olaka Nwogu of Rivers South-East.
The oath of office and oath of allegiance were administered during plenary at the National Assembly, officially marking their entry into the 10th Senate.
Speaking shortly after the ceremony, Senate President Akpabio congratulated the new lawmakers and urged them to place national interest above partisan considerations in the discharge of their legislative responsibilities.
He advised the senators to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Senate Standing Orders, stressing that they now represent not only their constituencies but also the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Your loyalty should be first to the nation and the people you represent. The Senate remains a chamber for robust debate, national development and democratic governance,” Akpabio said.
The Ondo South seat occupied by Faduyile became vacant following the appointment of former Senator Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. The other vacancies arose from the deaths of former senators representing their respective districts.
The swearing-in of the four lawmakers restores the Senate to its full constitutional strength of 109 members.
Political observers described Faduyile’s inauguration as a significant development for Ondo State, with expectations that the former Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) president will bring his wealth of experience in healthcare administration and public service to legislative duties at the National Assembly.
The new senators are expected to immediately commence participation in legislative activities, committee assignments and deliberations on key national issues before the upper chamber.
