Senate Declares Umahi, Geidam’s Seats Vacant

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has declared Yobe East Senatorial District formerly occupied by Sen Ibrahim Geidam and Ebonyi South Senatorial seat also occupied previously by Dave Umahi vacant.

Umahi and Geidam resigned from the Senate following their appointment as ministers by President Bola Tinubu but the leadership of the Senate was silent about it.

But now that Senate President Akpabio has declared the two senatorial seats vacant, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is mandated by law to conduct elections in the constituencies within 90 days.

While declaring the seats vacant, Akpabio, called on INEC to conduct a by-election to fill the vacancies.

He said, “The Ebonyi South and Yobe East senatorial seats are hereby declared vacant in accordance with constitutional provisions.

“This follows the assumption of office as ministers of senators Ibrahim Geidam and Dave Umahi.

“INEC may therefore wish to conduct a by-election to fill the vacant seats.”

INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, had said the electoral body would conduct reruns and bye-elections in February 2024 to fill existing vacancies in the state and federal legislatures.