Edo Election: Esan Professionals Petition Akpabio, Want Monday Okpebholo’s Senate Seat Declared Vacant

The Esan Professionals For Progress has petitioned the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, urging him to declare the seat of Senator Monday Okpebholo vacant due to his prolonged absence from the Senate and his constituency.

The group, led by Kingsley Akhigbe, highlighted that Senator Okpebholo, who represents Edo Central Senatorial District, has been absent for over five months, neglecting his legislative duties and the representation of his constituents.

This absence, according to the group, has had a detrimental impact on the people of Edo Central Senatorial District, leaving them without a voice to address their concerns.

Akhigbe cited the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended), which mandates that a Senator must sit for at least 180 days in a calendar year.

He noted that Senator Okpebholo’s absence exceeds one-third of this period, rendering him ineligible to continue holding his seat.

Akhigbe urged the Senate President to declare the seat vacant, enabling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a by-election, thereby providing the people of Edo Central Senatorial District the representation they deserve.

The petition reads in part: “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.

“You will recall, Senate President, that Edo Central Senatorial District is critical to the economic development of Nigeria. The district is home to key federal government establishments and industries.

“The presence of these establishments, as well as the security needs of the people of the Senatorial District, requires that our Senator is able to address the issues and challenges confronting his people.

“We, as members of Senator Okpebholo’s Senatorial District, have not seen him during the sittings of the Senate, nor seen him embarking on any Senate Committee assignment.

“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.”

Recall that the senator representing Edo North senatorial district, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, was recently called out by some of his constituents for diverting palliatives meant for his people.

The groups are now demanding that Oshiomhole, a former governor of the state, return palliative funds meant for them that he misappropriated.

The women allege that Oshiomhole diverted the funds the federal government provided for essential relief for his constituents.