The Senate’s plenary session today, October 8, 2025, was marked by the inauguration of two newly elected senators and a flurry of correspondences from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, GCFR, seeking legislative action on critical national issues.
New Faces in the 10th Senate
The President of the Senate officially administered the oath of office to the newest members of the 10th Senate of the National Assembly. The inaugurated senators are Sen. Joseph Ikpea representing Edo Central Senatorial District and Sen. Emmanuel Chibuzor Nwachukwu representing Nnewi South Senatorial District.
Executive Correspondences and Referrals
A significant portion of the session was dedicated to reading and referring several correspondences from the President. Key executive requests and their referrals include:
- External Borrowing Plan: A request seeking the Senate’s resolution on the external borrowing plan was read. The senate president referred it to the Committee on Local and Foreign Debt, with mandate to report back to the Senate within one week.
- NCC Commissioner Nominations: The nomination of nine commissioners for the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) was read and subsequently referred to the Senate Committees on Communications. This committee is expected to revert to the Senate in two weeks.
- Federal Service Commission: A correspondence nominating two commissioners for the Federal Service Commission was read and referred to the Senate Committee on Establishment, with a deadline of one week for a report.
- National Population Commission (NPC) Chairman: The nomination of Dr. Aminu Yusuf as the Chairman of the National Population Commission was referred to the Senate Committee on National Identity Card and National Population Commission, with a one-week timeframe to revert.
- NDIC Independent Director: The President’s request for the confirmation of one nominee as an Independent Director in the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) was read and referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, also expected to revert in one week.
Political Defection
In a notable political move announced during the session, the President of the Senate formally acknowledged the defection of Sen. Kelvin Chukwu (representing Enugu East). He defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).
Bills Presented for First Reading
Three significant bills were presented and read for the first time:
- HB.614 – Nigeria Weights and Measure Regulatory Agency (Establishment) Bill – Presented by Sen. Bamidele, Michael Opeyemi (Ekiti Central – Senate Leader).
- SB.903 – Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal & Enactment) Bill – Presented by Sen. Simon, Bako Lalong (Plateau South).
- SB. 904 – Oil and Gas Content Development Institute Emede, Delta State (Establishment) Bill – Presented by Sen. Joel, Onowakpo Thomas (Delta South).
Additionally, Bills (SB. 905), (SB. 907), and (SB. 908) were also presented for their first reading and duly taken.
Session Adjournment for Guests
In a final development, all other scheduled business for the day was stepped down by the Senate to enable members to receive and attend to visiting dignitaries from Ghana to the Nigerian Senate.
