The Nigerian Senate today December 11, 2024, declared
the seat of Senator Monday Okpebholo, representing Edo Central Senatorial
district, vacant.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the
vacancy during the plenary after reading a letter from the minority leader,
Abba Moro, requesting that the seat be declared vacant following the occupant’s
inauguration as the governor of Edo State.
Since Okpebholo’s inauguration, Edo Central Senatorial
District has been left unrepresented in the Senate.
In the letter to the senate president, Moro, the
senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, 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,” the letter read.
The minority leader also requested that the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately conduct a
by-election for the senatorial district to fill the vacant position.
“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 declaring the seat vacant, Akpabio thereafter
called on the Electoral Commission to immediately conduct a by-election for the
senatorial district to fill the vacant position.
“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,” Akpabio said.
Meanwhile, in a valedictory speech presented to the
entire members of the 10th Senate, Okpebholo who first reeled out his entire
journey in the Red Chamber, said he could not take the “warm” relationship he
shared with the lawmakers for granted.
“Distinguished colleagues, this is quite emotional for
me. From the moment I joined this 10th Senate in June 2023, every moment at the
Red Chambers has remained especially memorable.
“We saw ourselves as forerunners of democracy, and we
wanted the best for the nation.
“Barely one year in the Senate, I left to pursue the
dream of becoming Governor. Today 1 am Governor of Edo State.
“There is no way my story can be told without my
distinguished colleagues here. The support, advice and prayers were awesome.
“Let me particularly thank the uncommon Senate
President; Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCFR, his support and encouragement
throughout my campaign period were truly uncommon.
“To my Distinguished Deputy Senate President; Senator
Barau Jibrin, your words of advice were great political wisdom. My Senate
Majority leader; Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.
“I say thank you for being a brother always. My
consultations with you were never regretted.
“My other principal officers and indeed the entire
Senators of this 10th Senate, this is a homecoming for me.
“The warm relationship among us, here in the chambers,
can not be over-emphasised.
“Even as Governor, the memories of the 10th Senate
still linger in me. But one thing I will assure you, is that, I remain your
ambassador as I drive governance from the executive branch of government.
“My involvements in the business of legislation have
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.
“I want to express my gratitude to some of my close
friends here, including Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, Senator Babangida Husseini
Uba, and Senator Abdulaziz Yari just to mention a few.
“Thank you for standing by me throughout the campaign
exercises.
“To all of you, I want to say Obilu!,” Okpebholo
concluded.
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