The socio-political group Esan Professionals for Progress has petitioned Senate President Godswill Akpabio, urging him to declare the seat of Senator Monday Okpebholo vacant due to his extended absence from the Senate.
Led by Kingsley Akhigbe, the group reported that Senator Okpebholo, representing Edo Central Senatorial District, has been absent for over five months.
They claim he has neglected his duties and constituents, citing his governorship ambitions as a reason for his absence.
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According to the group, this prolonged absence has deprived Edo Central of necessary representation.
Akhigbe referenced the Constitution of Nigeria, which requires Senators to attend at least 180 days in a calendar year.
With Okpebholo’s absence exceeding one-third of this period, he is deemed ineligible to continue.
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Akhigbe called on the Senate President to declare the seat vacant so that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can organize a by-election, ensuring the people of Edo Central receive the representation they need.
The petition reads in part: “The Esan Professionals For Progress requests that you invoke your powers under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended) and declare vacant the seat of Senator Monday Okpebholo, who represents the good people of Edo Central Senatorial District in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“This request is borne out of the fact that Senator Okpebholo has not been found or seen on the floor of the Senate or anywhere within the legislative chambers for several months.
“He has not been carrying out his legislative duties and representation of the members of his Senatorial District. Even before he won the All Progressives Congress governorship ticket, he had been absent from the Senate sessions.
“Edo Central Senatorial District requires that our Senator to address the issues and challenges confronting his people. Regrettably, Senator Okpebholo has abandoned his duties, and the people of the Senatorial District are the worse for it as they have no one to lay their complaints to.”
“We have seen several senators contest for governorship in recent times without allowing their duties in the Senate chamber to suffer. Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa state is a perfect example. Even as a contestant, he was ever present in the Senate carrying out his duties diligently until he was sworn in as governor.
“We, therefore, implore you, Distinguished Senate President, to save the people of Edo Central Senatorial District from this mal-representation by declaring the seat of Senator Monday Okpebholo vacant, to pave the way for the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a by-election to fill the vacancy created by his exit from the Senate, to give our people the much-needed representation that has so far eluded them.”
