The Nigerian Senate has formally requested the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct bye-elections for the vacant senatorial seats representing Edo Central and Anambra South.
The announcement was made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary session, officially declaring the two seats vacant and underscoring the urgency of restoring full representation to the affected districts.
“Those seats are declared vacant,” Akpabio stated firmly. “I urge INEC to conduct elections in line with the Constitution to fill those vacancies.”
The directive comes after months of delayed representation for both senatorial districts. The Anambra South Senatorial District has been without a senator since July 2024, following the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah. In Edo Central, the senatorial seat became vacant more recently, in November 2024, when Senator Monday Okpebholo was sworn in as the new Governor of Edo State.
While the Senate’s declaration provides the formal trigger, INEC had previously indicated its readiness to act. As far back as January 2025, INEC officials stated that the commission was awaiting official communication from the Senate before proceeding with the Anambra South bye-election.
The call from the Senate places the onus on INEC to move swiftly and efficiently to organize free and fair elections in both districts in accordance with constitutional mandates.
