Akpabio made the announcement during plenary at the National Assembly in Abuja, describing the situation as a tragic loss to both the Senate and the nation. He explained that the vacancies arose as a direct consequence of the demise of senators representing Enugu North Senatorial District in Enugu State, Nasarawa North Senatorial District in Nasarawa State, and Rivers South-East Senatorial District in Rivers State.
Addressing his colleagues, the Senate President said the decision to officially declare the seats vacant was in strict compliance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). According to him, the constitutional process requires that such vacancies be filled through by-elections conducted within a specified timeframe.
“Due to the tragedies that have befallen the 10th Senate, vacancies have been created for midterm elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that we fill the vacancies created by the demise of our colleagues,” Akpabio stated during the session.
He went on to individually list the affected districts, beginning with Enugu North Senatorial District, which he formally pronounced vacant. He subsequently extended the declaration to the Nasarawa North Senatorial District and the Rivers South-East Senatorial District, confirming that all three seats are now officially unoccupied.
The announcement was received with solemn reflection within the chamber, as lawmakers observed the significance of the losses and the impact on legislative representation for the affected regions. The Senate President acknowledged the contributions of the deceased lawmakers, noting that their absence would be felt both within the legislative body and among their constituents.
Akpabio further emphasized that the next step in the constitutional process rests with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is mandated to organize by-elections to fill the vacant seats. He noted that the Constitution stipulates a timeframe of approximately 30 days from the date of declaration for the conduct of such elections.
“In line with the provisions of our Constitution, the Independent National Electoral Commission is accordingly mandated to conduct fresh polls to fill these vacant senatorial seats in the affected states within the time specified in the Constitution, which is about 30 days from this declaration,” he said.
The declaration effectively triggers preparations by INEC, which is expected to release a timetable and schedule of activities for the by-elections in the coming days. Political parties are also anticipated to begin internal processes to nominate candidates who will contest for the vacant positions.
Observers note that the forthcoming by-elections could reshape political dynamics in the affected senatorial districts, as parties strategize to either retain or capture the seats. Given the importance of the Senate in Nigeria’s legislative framework, the elections are expected to attract significant political attention at both the state and national levels.
In Enugu North, the vacancy opens a contest in a district that has traditionally been a stronghold of certain political interests, while Nasarawa North is likely to witness keen competition among parties seeking to strengthen their foothold in the North-Central region. Similarly, the Rivers South-East Senatorial District, located in the politically vibrant Niger Delta region, is expected to draw intense interest from major political actors.
The development also underscores the constitutional safeguards in place to ensure continuous representation of citizens in the National Assembly. By mandating timely by-elections, the law seeks to prevent prolonged vacancies that could leave constituents without adequate legislative voice at the federal level.
Political analysts have pointed out that while the timeline of 30 days is constitutionally guided, practical considerations such as logistics, security, and party primaries may influence how quickly INEC is able to conduct the elections. Nonetheless, the formal declaration by the Senate President marks the official commencement of the process.
Meanwhile, tributes have continued to pour in for the deceased senators, with colleagues and political leaders across the country reflecting on their service and contributions to national development. Although the Senate did not dwell extensively on individual tributes during the plenary session, the somber tone of proceedings reflected a shared sense of loss.
As the legislative body moves forward, attention will now shift to INEC’s response and the political activities that will follow in the affected districts. For constituents in Enugu North, Nasarawa North, and Rivers South-East, the coming weeks will be critical in determining who will represent them in the Senate for the remainder of the current legislative term.
The declaration by Akpabio thus not only fulfills a constitutional obligation but also signals the beginning of a new electoral cycle in the impacted regions, as Nigeria’s democratic processes continue to respond to unforeseen circumstances within its political institutions.
