Senate President Godswill Akpabio is facing mounting pressure to declare the Senate seat of Senator Monday Okpebholo vacant. This call comes amid accusations that Okpebholo, who represents the Edo Central Senatorial District and is also the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the upcoming Edo State election, has been absent from the Senate for over five months.
The Esan Professionals group, led by Kingsley Akhigbe, argues that Okpebholo’s prolonged absence has left the people of Edo Central without proper representation. They assert that Okpebholo has neglected his legislative duties in favor of his gubernatorial ambitions.
Akhigbe emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution requires a Senator to attend sessions for at least 180 days in a calendar year. Okpebholo’s absence reportedly exceeds one-third of this period, making him ineligible to continue holding his seat.
In their petition, Akhigbe stated, “Senator Okpebholo has not been seen in the Senate or engaged in legislative duties for several months. His absence has deprived his constituents of representation.”
The group contrasted Okpebholo’s conduct with that of other Senators who have balanced gubernatorial ambitions with their legislative responsibilities, citing Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State as an example.
They are urging Senate President Akpabio to declare the seat vacant, allowing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a by-election and restore effective representation for Edo Central.