Senate President Akpabio Declares Three Seats Vacant, Orders By‑Elections

Senate President Akpabio Declares Three Seats Vacant, Orders By‑Elections

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has officially declared three Senate seats vacant following the deaths of sitting lawmakers, directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct mid-term by‑elections to fill the vacancies. The announcement was made during plenary on Tuesday at the National Assembly in Abuja, with Akpabio describing the loss of the senators as a tragic blow to the legislature.

Citing provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), Akpabio formally declared the following seats vacant: Enugu North Senatorial District (Enugu State), Nasarawa North Senatorial District (Nasarawa State), and Rivers South‑East Senatorial District (Rivers State). He directed INEC to organise by‑elections within the constitutional timeframe of approximately 30 days. “May the souls of our departed colleagues rest in perfect peace,” he prayed.

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The vacancies arise from the deaths of Senators Barinada Mpigi, Godiya Akwashiki, and Okey Ezea, all members of the 10th National Assembly, leaving their constituents temporarily unrepresented in the upper chamber. Akpabio emphasised that the by‑elections are crucial for restoring full representation in the Senate and ensuring that the affected districts continue to have a voice in national legislation.

The Senate also adjourned plenary until April 21 for the Easter break, allowing lawmakers a recess before resuming duties and facilitating preparations for the elections. Political parties are expected to begin mobilising candidates and campaign strategies ahead of the by-elections, which will be closely monitored as indicators of public sentiment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Experts note that these by‑elections will test the strength of political parties in the affected regions—Enugu North, Nasarawa North, and Rivers South‑East—and may influence regional political alignments in the run-up to the next general elections. The declaration also reinforces the constitutional mandate that vacant legislative seats be filled promptly to maintain a functioning democracy.

The move underscores the importance of timely electoral processes and adherence to constitutional provisions, while also paying tribute to the late senators for their contributions to national governance. As INEC prepares for the by‑elections, voters in the affected districts can expect a fully coordinated electoral process to restore representation in the Nigerian Senate.

Senate President Akpabio Declares Three Seats Vacant, Orders By‑Elections