Akpabio declares Jimoh Ibrahim’s Senate seat vacant

The Nigerian Senate, under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has officially declared the Ondo South Senatorial District seat vacant. This action follows the recent appointment of the incumbent senator, Jimoh Ibrahim, to the prestigious position of Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

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The Ondo South Senatorial District seat vacant following the exit of Jimoh Ibrahim from the Red Chamber.

Akpabio's announcement during plenary formally notified lawmakers of the development, initiating the constitutional process for filling the legislative vacancy. The Senate President has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organize a by-election within the next 30 days, adhering strictly to the legal framework governing such circumstances.

This declaration marks a significant transition for the Ondo South constituency, which will soon have new representation in the National Assembly. Jimoh Ibrahim, a distinguished figure with academic credentials from Cambridge, the London School of Economics, and Oxford, previously chaired the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Relations. His tenure saw him involved in various key committees and international parliamentary bodies.

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Declaring the seat vacant followed the appointment of Ibrahim, who hitherto occupied the seat, as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

The Senate's resolution will be transmitted to INEC, ensuring prompt action to schedule the by-election. This process underscores the importance of continuous representation and the adherence to electoral laws in Nigeria's democratic framework. The people of Ondo South will have the opportunity to elect a new senator to represent their interests.

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The President of the Senate called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a by-election in the next 30 days to fill the existing vacancy in line with extant laws.