Akpabio declares Okpebholo’s Senate seat vacant, direct INEC to hold by-election

ABUJA, Nigeria — The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has declared the Edo Central Senatorial Seat vacant, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a by-election to fill the vacancy.

Senator Monday Okpebholo exited the Senate following his election as the Governor of Edo State.

Prior to the declaration of the vacant seat, the Senate held a valedictory session for Okpebholo, who assumed office as Edo Governor on November 12, 2024.

The Senate President declared the seat vacant in accordance with Section 68(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which states that a federal lawmaker’s seat becomes vacant upon their assumption of another public office.

The announcement followed a letter submitted by the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, which emphasised the constitutional requirement to declare the seat vacant and called on the Senate President to notify INEC to organise a fresh election for the district.

While they celebrated Okpebholo’s emergence as governor, they noted that his absence would be deeply felt in the Senate.

The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, called him a man of action and lauded his commitment to the interests of the people of Edo State.

“The people elected him because he has their interests at heart,” Barau remarked.

In his valedictory speech, Okpebholo thanked his colleagues for their kind words and pledged to be a good ambassador of the Senate in his new role within the executive arm of government.

The Senate now has two vacant seats: the Edo Central Senatorial Seat and the Anambra South Senatorial Seat, occupied by Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, until his death on July 27.

This development leaves the Senate configuration as follows: 63 APC senators, 34 PDP senators, five Labour Party senators, two NNPP senators, two SDP senators, and one APGA senator.