Olushola Omogbehin
Following the appointment of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), the President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has declared the Ondo South senatorial seat vacant.
Akpabio disclosed this during plenary on Tuesday, saying that the declaration takes immediate effect in line with constitutional provisions.
He said the declaration followed the appointment of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who previously occupied the seat, as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
As the 1999 Constitution (as amended), mandated the National Assembly to notify the electoral body whenever a vacancy occurs to enable the conduct of a fresh election, the Senate President has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a by-election within the next 30 days to fill the vacancy, in line with extant laws.
Akpabio also directed the Clerk of the National Assembly to transmit the Senate’s resolution to the Independent National Electoral Commission for urgent action.
On 20th of April, Ibrahim started his diplomatic duties at the UN by presenting his Letters of Credence to UN Secretary-General, António Guterres at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States.
Before his appointment, Ibrahim, a businessman and politician, represented Ondo South Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
