The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has formally declared the Edo Central Senatorial seat vacant following the inauguration of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Governor of Edo State on November 12, 2024.
Also declared vacant by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass is the Ovia North-East/Ovia South-West federal constituency seat previously occupied by Hon. Dennis Idahosa, now Deputy Governor of Edo State.
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Okpebholo and Idahosa were elected in the September 21 governorship election as Edo State Governor and Deputy Governor respectively and were inaugurated on November 12.
The declaration aligns with Section 68(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which mandates that a lawmaker’s seat becomes vacant upon assumption of another public office.
The announcement at the Senate today followed a letter submitted by Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing Benue South.
In his letter, Senator Moro cited the constitutional requirement to declare the seat vacant and urged the Senate President to notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election for the district.
“This vacancy has become necessary following Senator Monday Okpebholo’s inauguration as governor. In compliance with the Constitution, his seat is now deemed vacant. I respectfully request that the Senate President make the declaration and notify INEC accordingly,” Moro wrote.
However the Senate President Akpabio affirmed the constitutional basis for the decision, officially declared the seat vacant, and directed INEC to organize a by-election to ensure Edo Central Senatorial District continues to have representation in the upper chamber.
With the seats now vacant, INEC is expected to schedule a by-election to elect a new representative for Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia North-East/Ovia South-West federal constituency seats within 90 days.
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