Senate president swears in Plateau’s first female senator, three others

Ahmad Lawan, Nigeria’s Senate President, has sworn in the first female senator from Plateau State, Nora Dadu’ut of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ms Dadu’ut will represent Plateau South, and is replacing Ignatius Longjan who died on February 9.

She clinched the seat after winning the December 5 by-election in the state.

Ms Dadu’ut, according to the results announced by INEC, polled 83,141 votes while George Daika, her Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rival, secured 70,838 votes.

The Returning Officer for the election, Idris Amali, said she defeated her opponent in four of six local councils in the senatorial district, while the PDP candidate won in two local councils.

Mr Lawan also swore in former Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing Bayelsa West, Cleopas Moses (PDP) representing Bayelsa Central, and Tokunbo Abiru (APC) representing Lagos East.

The senators took their oath of office at the start of plenary on Tuesday. The swearing-in was done by the Clerk of the Senate, Ibrahim El-Ladan.

Messrs Dickson and Moses will be replacing Douye Diri and Lawrence Ewhrujakpo who were inaugurated as governor and deputy governor of Bayelsa State respectively.

While Mr Abiru will replace Bayo Osinowo who died of complications from COVID-19 in June.

Mrs Dadu’ut’s resumption brings the number of female lawmakers in the Senate to eight.

Other female lawmakers are Biodun Olujimi, Oluremi Tinubu, Betty Apiafi and Uche Ekwunife.

Others are Akon Eyakenyi, Stella Oduah and Aishatu Dahiru.