Senate President Declares Three Senatorial Seats Vacant, Orders By-Elections

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday declared three senatorial seats vacant following the deaths of members of the 10th Senate.

The vacancies affect the Enugu North, Nasarawa North, and Rivers South-East Senatorial Districts.

Akpabio made the announcement during plenary, stating that the declaration was in line with constitutional provisions necessitated by the passing of the affected lawmakers.

“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.

Citing the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Akpabio formally declared the seats vacant, directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct by-elections to fill the positions.

“I hereby declare vacant Enugu North Senatorial District. The seat is hereby declared vacant,” he said, adding similar declarations for the Nasarawa North and Rivers South-East districts.

Akpabio noted that the electoral body is required to conduct fresh polls within the timeframe stipulated by law.

“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,” Akpabio said.

The development sets the stage for fresh electoral contests in the affected districts as political parties prepare to fill the vacant seats in the upper legislative chamber.