Akpabio declares three seats vacant after lawmakers’ deaths

Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President on Tuesday announced vacancies in three senatorial districts following the deaths of members of the 10th Senate.

The affected seats are, Enugu North, previously represented by Okechukwu Ezea; Nasarawa North, formerly held by Godiya Akwashiki and Rivers South-East, represented until his death by Barry Mpigi.

Akpabio made the declaration during plenary, explaining that the action was in line with constitutional requirements following the demise 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.

Relying on provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Senate President formally pronounced the seats vacant.

“I hereby declare vacant Enugu North Senatorial District. The seat is hereby declared vacant,” he stated, before making similar declarations for Nasarawa North and Rivers South-East senatorial districts.

He subsequently directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct by-elections to fill the vacant seats within the constitutionally prescribed timeframe.

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“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 added.

The declaration paves the way for fresh electoral contests in the affected districts, as political parties begin preparations to fill the vacancies in the upper chamber.