By Peterside Rejoice Eneky
The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Wednesday declared the seat of the Edo Central Senatorial District vacant, following the inauguration of Monday Okpebholo as the Governor of Edo State.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, made the declaration during the plenary session after reading a letter from the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro. The letter, which was addressed to Akpabio, called for the vacancy of the seat in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
Okpebholo, who was elected as Governor of Edo State in the September 2023 elections, was sworn into office in December, thus vacating his seat as the representative of the Edo Central Senatorial District.
In his letter to the Senate President, Senator Moro cited Paragraph D of Section 68 of the Nigerian Constitution, which stipulates that a senator who assumes a different public office, such as that of a state governor, automatically vacates their seat in the Senate. Moro called on the Senate leadership to declare Okpebholo’s seat vacant, urging immediate action to comply with the constitutional requirements.
“I write to bring to your attention Paragraph D of Section 68 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, that the seat of Senator Monday Okpebholo, representing Edo Central Senatorial District, has become vacant,” the letter read. “This vacancy has become necessary following Senator Monday Okpebholo’s inauguration as governor of Edo State, and in accordance with the Constitution, his seat is now deemed vacant.”
Moro further requested that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) be tasked with organizing a by-election to fill the now-vacant position in the Senate.
Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio officially declared the seat vacant and directed INEC to conduct fresh elections for the Edo Central District. In line with your letter and the Constitution, the seat of Edo Central Senatorial District is hereby declared vacant,” Akpabio said. INEC is accordingly invited to conduct fresh elections to fill the seat left by Senator Monday Okpebholo.”
The seat is expected to be contested by candidates from various political parties, with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties likely to engage in a keenly contested race to replace Okpebholo.
This move follows the constitutional precedent that governs the electoral process in the country, ensuring that vacant seats in the National Assembly are promptly addressed.
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