Senate President Godswill Akpabio has officially declared the Edo Central Senatorial District seat vacant. The announcement was made on Wednesday during a valedictory session held in honor of Monday Okpebholo, who vacated his position after assuming office as the Governor of Edo State in November 2024.
Okpebholo’s transition to the governorship followed his victory in the September gubernatorial election. The declaration came after Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro cited Paragraph D of Section 68 of the Constitution, which mandates that a legislative seat be vacated when its occupant assumes another public office.
“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 explained during the session.
Following the declaration by the senate, Akpabio directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organize a by-election to fill the vacant seat.
“So, in line with your letter and the Constitution, the seat of Edo Central Senatorial District is hereby declared vacant,” Akpabio stated.
Okpebholo’s exit, coupled with the recent demise of Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South, leaves the Senate with 107 members out of its full complement of 109.
The upcoming by-election presents an opportunity for political parties to contest for representation in Edo Central Senatorial District. As the Senate moves to address its reduced composition, the focus shifts to INEC’s timeline for conducting the by-election and the emergence of a new representative.
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