Akpabio Declares Jimoh Ibrahim’s Senate Seat Vacant

Akpabio Declares Jimoh Ibrahim’s Senate Seat Vacant

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has officially declared the Ondo South Senatorial seat vacant following the appointment of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Akpabio made the announcement on Tuesday during plenary at the National Assembly in Abuja, informing lawmakers that Ibrahim’s new diplomatic assignment automatically brings an end to his tenure in the Senate in line with constitutional provisions.

According to the Senate President, the declaration became necessary after the upper legislative chamber received formal communication regarding Ibrahim’s appointment to the international diplomatic position.

Akpabio explained that under the Nigerian Constitution, a serving lawmaker cannot simultaneously occupy a legislative seat and hold an executive or diplomatic appointment under the Federal Government.

“The Senate has no option than to declare the seat vacant following the appointment of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations,” Akpabio reportedly told lawmakers during proceedings.

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He subsequently directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to officially communicate the Senate’s resolution to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to begin the process of conducting a bye-election for the Ondo South Senatorial District.

The Senate President further urged INEC to act swiftly in line with constitutional and electoral provisions to ensure that the people of Ondo South do not remain without representation in the Senate for an extended period.

Under Nigeria’s Electoral Act and constitutional guidelines, INEC is required to conduct a bye-election after receiving official notification of a legislative vacancy from the National Assembly.

Jimoh Ibrahim, a businessman, lawyer, and politician elected under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), represented Ondo South Senatorial District in the 10th Senate before his appointment.

His nomination as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations is being viewed as a major diplomatic and political elevation within the Tinubu administration.

Political analysts say Ibrahim’s exit from the Senate is expected to trigger intense political activity within Ondo State, especially among APC stakeholders and opposition parties preparing for the anticipated bye-election.

The development is also likely to reshape political alignments in Ondo South, one of the state’s key senatorial districts ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sources within the National Assembly indicated that consultations among political leaders and aspirants have already begun following the official declaration of the vacancy.

The expected bye-election could become a significant political test for both the APC and opposition parties seeking to strengthen their influence in Ondo State.

Akpabio Declares Jimoh Ibrahim’s Senate Seat Vacant