The Nigerian Senate president declared three senatorial seats vacant after the deaths of their members and directed the electoral commission to conduct by-elections within 30 days.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio declared three senatorial seats vacant on Tuesday following the deaths of their occupants, citing constitutional provisions that mandate midterm elections. “Due to the tragedies that have befallen the 10th Senate, vacancies have been created for midterm elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that we fill the vacancies created by the demise of our colleagues,” he said.
Mr. Akpabio made the announcement during plenary, formally vacating the seats for Enugu North, Nasarawa North, and Rivers South-East Senatorial Districts. “I hereby declare vacant Enugu North Senatorial District. The seat is hereby declared vacant,” he said. He directed the electoral commission to conduct fresh polls within 30 days, as required by the Constitution.