The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has officially declared three seats in the upper chamber of the National Assembly vacant following the deaths of serving senators.
Akpabio made the announcement during Tuesday’s plenary session in Abuja, describing the development as a tragic loss to the legislature and the nation.
“These unfortunate events necessitate midterm elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fill the affected seats,” he said.
Citing relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Senate President formally declared the following senatorial districts vacant: Enugu State – Enugu North Senatorial District; Nasarawa State – Nasarawa North Senatorial District; Rivers State – Rivers South East Senatorial District
According to Akpabio, the constitutional requirement mandates that vacancies arising from the death of lawmakers be filled through by-elections conducted by the electoral body.
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Akpabio subsequently directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organize by-elections within the stipulated constitutional timeframe.
“The timeframe is approximately 30 days from the date of this declaration. May the souls of our departed colleagues rest in perfect peace,” he said in a brief prayer during plenary.
INEC is expected to issue further guidelines and timelines for the conduct of the elections in the affected senatorial districts.
Following the announcement, the Senate adjourned plenary until April 21 to observe the Easter recess.
Political stakeholders in the affected states are expected to begin consultations ahead of the anticipated by-elections, which will determine new representatives for the three senatorial districts in the National Assembly.