by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
Following the re-run election in Plateau North, the House of Representatives and other rerun and by-election in other states held recently, the Senate had sworn-in three new Senators, who emerged victorious in the February 3rd reruns and by-election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fill vacant seats in the Red Chamber.
The three Senators sworn-in include Sen. Pam Mwadkwon, of the Action Democratic Party for the Plateau North Senatorial District; Prof. Anthony Ani, of the All Progressives Congress for Ebonyi South Senatorial District; and Mustapha Musa also of the APC for the Yobe East Senatorial District.
The Plateau North Senatorial District seat became vacant after the Court of Appeal nullified the election of Sen. Simon Mwadkwon, who was declared winner of the district in the February 25, 2023 National Assembly election.
While on the other hand, the Ebonyi South Senatorial District and the Yobe East Senatorial District seats became vacant, following the appointment of Dave Umahi and Ibrahim Gaidam, respectively, as ministers.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, directed the Clerk of the Senate, Chinedu Akubueze, to administer the Oath of Office to the three new Senators, after which the Senate President handed them copies of the Senate Standing Rules.
The additions bring the number of APC lawmakers in the Senate to 59; PDP has 37 members, Labour Party, seven, New Nigeria Peoples Party, two; the Social Democratic Party, two, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, with one, and Action Democratic Party, one.