Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared three senatorial seats vacant following the deaths of members of the 10th Senate, setting the stage for fresh elections in the affected districts.
The vacancies, announced during Tuesday’s plenary, affect Enugu North, Nasarawa North, and Rivers South-East Senatorial Districts, including the seat formerly held by Okey Ezea.
Akpabio said the decision was in line with constitutional provisions, noting that the development was necessitated by the demise of the lawmakers representing the constituencies.
“Due to the tragedies that have befallen the 10th Senate, vacancies have been created for midterm elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that we fill the vacancies created by the demise of our colleagues,” he said.
Invoking the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Senate President formally declared each of the seats vacant.
“I hereby declare vacant Enugu North Senatorial District. The seat is hereby declared vacant,” Akpabio stated, extending the declaration to Nasarawa North and Rivers South-East districts.
He subsequently directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organise by-elections to fill the vacant seats within the constitutionally stipulated timeframe.
“In line with the provisions of our Constitution, the Independent National Electoral Commission is accordingly mandated to conduct fresh polls to fill these vacant senatorial seats in the affected states within the time specified in the Constitution, which is about 30 days from this declaration,” he added.
The development has triggered preparations for by-elections, as political parties begin strategising to reclaim or retain representation in the affected senatorial districts.
