The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has declared the seat of Monday Okpebholo at the upper legislative chamber vacant.
The House of Representatives has also declared the seat of Dennis Idahosa vacant.
Idahosa represented Ovia North East/Ovia South West Federal Constituency of Edo State. On November 12, he was sworn in as Edo State deputy governor.
During a valedictory session in honour of Okpebholo on Wednesday, Akpabio declared his seat vacant, acting on a request by Abba Moro, the Minority Leader of the senate.
Okpebholo was the senator representing Edo Central until he became the governor of Edo. He took his oath of office in November after winning the governorship election in September.
Akpabio asked the Independent National Electoral Commission 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 said.
Earlier, Moro premised his request 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.
Also on Wednesday, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen declared Idahosa’s seat vacant after reading a letter from the Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbere during plenary.
The Independent National Electoral Commission can now fix a date for a new election to fill the vacancies.
