Akpabio declares senate seats of Umahi, Geidam vacant

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared the seats of David Umahi and Ibrahim Geidam, in the upper legislative chamber, vacant.

This followed their appointments as ministers of works and police affairs respectively.

While Umahi represented Ebonyi south, Geidam represented Yobe east.

The implication is that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct by-elections in these senatorial districts.

On Monday, Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chair, said the commission is considering conducting by-elections and rerun polls in state and federal constituencies in February 2024.

The INEC chair said political parties must carry out fresh primaries within the limited period provided by law for the by-elections.

“With regard to the by-elections, you may recall that in my recent address at the swearing-in of new resident electoral commissioners (RECs), which was combined with our last quarterly meeting with the RECs nationwide, I made a commitment that the commission will conduct elections to fill vacancies in the national and state assembly constituencies,” Yakubu said.

“The commission is looking at the first week of February 2024, that is, in just a little over one month to conduct both the re-run and by-elections.”

Yakubu added that the management of INEC will meet to review preparations and announce a definite date, including the detailed timetable and schedule of activities for the elections.