Reps declare Edo deputy governor’s seat vacant

Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house of representatives, has declared the seat of Dennis Idahosa, deputy governor of Edo state, vacant. 

Abbas made the declaration on Wednesday after reading a letter from Julius Ihonvbere, the majority leader.

He said the declaration is in line with section 68(1) of the 1999 constitution which states that “a member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if— he becomes President, Vice-President, Governor, Deputy Governor or a Minister of the Government of the Federation or a Commissioner of the Government of a State or a Special Adviser”.

Idahosa was the lawmaker representing Ovia north-east/Ovia south-west federal constituency in Edo state before the governorship election.

With this declaration, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to conducted a bye-election to fill the vacant seat.