Saraki swears in Rivers senators

Senate President Bukola Saraki has sworn in Magnus Abe, Thompson Sekibo and Osinakachukwu Ideozu as senators in the 8th assembly.

The trio were elected in the keenly contested rerun election of December 10.

Abe, Sekibo and Ideozu will be representing Rivers south east, Rivers east and Rivers west districts.

They joined their colleagues at the red chamber after the senate reconvened for a second session on Thursday.

Speaking with journalists later, Abe who won his election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said without the security agencies it would have been “near impossible for INEC to conduct elections in the state”.

He alleged that the Rivers state government had issued an order not to allow anyone of the APC lawmakers to be sworn into the state house of assembly.

He said it was time put away the “trauma” of the election as Nigeria was more important than any single individual.

Sekibo and Chukwu are of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Saraki adjourned plenary till January 10.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to announce the results of some constituencies in the election.

Mustapha Lecky, national commissioner in charge of the south-south, blamed the development on the widespread violence recorded in the exercise.

So far, 12 results have been announced, with the PDP taking seven, leaving its opponent with five.

Of the five results declared in the house of reps, PDP has 3, and APC 2. There is a tie at the state house of assembly, where four results have been announced. Both parties have two each.