The Nigerian Senate has officially requested the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct by-elections to fill the vacant seats in Edo Central and Anambra South Senatorial Districts.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio made the announcement during Tuesday’s plenary, officially declaring the vacancies. The Edo Central seat became vacant in 2024 following the inauguration of Monday Okpebholo as the Governor of Edo State after his election in December. Similarly, the Anambra South seat has remained vacant since the passing of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in July 2024.
In a previous statement from INEC in January 2025, the commission indicated that it was waiting for a formal request from the Senate before proceeding with a by-election for Anambra South. Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Anambra, Elizabeth Agu, reiterated this during a stakeholders’ dialogue in Awka.
With both senatorial districts currently without representation in the Senate, Akpabio urged INEC to promptly conduct the necessary elections to restore full legislative representation for the affected constituencies.
