The Senate yesterday declared vacant the seat of the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo at the National Assembly.
The Senate also invited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a bye-election to fill the vacancy.
The Okpebholo’s seat, which represented Edo Central Senatorial District, became vacant following his election and inauguration as the Governor of Edo State last month.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio made the declarations after a valedictory session for Okpebholo organised by the Senate, urging the Governor to keep his legacy of good works as he carries out his duties as governor of Edo State.
The Senate President announced the vacancy while reading a letter from the Minority Leader, Abba Moro, requesting that the seat be declared vacant following the occupant’s inauguration as a governor.
Moro, in the letter, demanded that the Senate leadership declare the Edo Central seat vacant in line with Paragraph D of Section 68 of the Nigerian Constitution.
“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,” Moro said.
The Minority Leader also requested that INEC should immediately conduct a bye-election to fill for the vacancy in the Edo Central Senatorial District.
“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,” he said.
After declaring the seat vacant, Akpabio called on the INEC to immediately conduct a bye-election for the senatorial district to fill the vacant position.
“So in line with your (Moro) letter and the Constitution, the seat of Edo 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,” Akpabio said.
Akpabio also officially named Senator Olagijede Emmanuel Ipinsagba as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement hitherto chaired by Okpebholo.
Akpabio wished the Governor of Edo State well, saying: “You are a man of few words but enormous action. The Senate recognizes you as chairman, Committee on Public Procurement who acted very well.”
Senators Barau Jibrin, Neda Imasuen, Danjuma Goje, Adams Oshiomhole and Simon Lalong eulogised the governor.
Okpebholo in his brief remarks, thanked the Senate for organizing the valedictory session and assured his colleagues that he would remain their ambassador.
“The warm relationship among us, here in the chambers, cannot be over-emphasized. Even as Governor, the memories of the 10th Senate still linger in me. But one thing I will assure you, I will remain your ambassador as I drive governance from the executive branch of government.
“My involvement in the business of legislation has helped to drive my passion for good governance particularly in infrastructure development, security, education, health and so on in my new role as Governor. We worked together, we gained successes together and we must always be proud of each other wherever,” Okpebholo said.
