Senate Urges INEC to Conduct By-election in Edo Central

By Moses Idika On Dec 11, 2024 5 0

Edited in Prisma app with Thota Vaikuntam

The Senate has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh election to fill the vacant position left in the Edo Central Senatorial District.

The call of the Senate follows its resolution after adopting a letter written by the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Morro, calling the attention of the Red Chamber over the vacancy created by the inauguration of Senator Monday Okpebholo who recently sworn as the governor of Edo State.

In his letter, Sen Abba Morro who represents Benue South stated that the request for conduct of a fresh election in Edo Central was in line with provisions of section 68 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

The letter reads in part:

“I write to bring to your attention Paragraph D of Section 68 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, that the seat of Senator Monday Okpebholo, representing Edo Central Senatorial District, has become vacant.

“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, and we invite you to declare.”

“I respectfully request that you declare the seat of Edo Central Senatorial District vacant in compliance with the provisions of the Constitution and request the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to immediately conduct fresh elections to fill the vacancy accordingly.”

After the letter was read, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio who presided at the plenary called on INEC to immediately conduct a by-election for the senatorial district to fill the vacant position.

Ruling on the letter, Senator Akpabio said, “So in line with your letter and the Constitution, the seat of Edo Central central senatorial district is hereby declared vacant, and INEC is accordingly invited to conduct fresh elections to fill the seat left by Senator Monday Okpebholo,”