Okpebholo, Deputy Lose Senate, Reps Seats

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared the seat of Monday Okpebholo at the upper legislative chamber vacant.
During a valedictory session in his honour on Wednesday, Sen. Akpabio declared Mr Okpebholo’s seat vacant, acting on a request by Abba Moro, the Minority Leader of the senate.
Mr Okpebholo was the senator representing Edo Central until he became the governor of Edo State. He took his oath of office in November after winning the governorship election in September.
Sen. Akpabio asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a by-election to fill the seat.
“So in line with your letter and the Constitution, the seat of Edo Central Senatorial District is hereby declared vacant,” the number three citizen declared.
Earlier, Sen. Moro premised his request on paragraph D of section 68 of the Constitution.
“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,” the senator said.
With the demise of Ifeanyi Uba, senator representing Anambra South, and vacant seat of Okpebholo, the upper legislative chamber has 107 senators out of 109.
Meanwhile, Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Tajuddeen Abbas, has declared the seat of Dennis Idahosa, Deputy Governor of Edo State, vacant.
Rt Hon. Abbas made the declaration on Wednesday after reading a letter from Julius Ihonvbere, the majority leader.
He said the declaration is in line with section 68(1) of the 1999 constitution which states that “a member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if he becomes President, Vice-President, Governor, Deputy Governor or a Minister of the Government of the Federation or a Commissioner of the Government of a State or a Special Adviser”.
Hon. Idahosa was the lawmaker representing Ovia North-East/Ovia South-West Federal Constituency of Edo State before the governorship election.
With this declaration, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to conduct a bye-election to fill the vacant seat.