AKPABIO DECLARES THREE SENATORIAL SEATS VACANT IN 10TH SENATE, DIRECTS INEC TO CONDUCT BY-ELECTIONS. (PHOTO).

Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday declared three senatorial seats vacant in the 10th National Assembly following the deaths of the respective lawmakers.

The announcement was made during Tuesday’s plenary session. Akpabio explained that the vacancies were created due to the demise of the senators representing the affected districts.

He said the declaration was in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

“Due to the tragedies that have befallen the 10th Senate, vacancies have been created for midterm elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fill the seats left vacant by our colleagues,” Akpabio stated.

The Senate President specifically declared vacant the following seats:

- Enugu North Senatorial District in Enugu State  

- Nasarawa North Senatorial District in Nasarawa State  

- Rivers South-East Senatorial District in Rivers State  

Akpabio directed INEC to conduct fresh by-elections to fill the vacant seats within the timeframe stipulated by the Constitution, which is approximately 90 days from the date of declaration (though some reports reference the constitutional window for such elections).

The affected senators were Okechukwu Ezea (Enugu North), Godiya Akwashiki (Nasarawa North), and Barinada Mpigi (Rivers South-East).