Senate Declares Okpebholo’s Seat Vacant After Controversy

The Senate has officially declared the Edo Central senatorial seat vacant following Monday Okpebholo’s election as the Governor of Edo State.

The declaration was made on Wednesday during a plenary session led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The Senate also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election to fill the vacancy created by Okpebholo’s departure from the Senate.

A valedictory session was held for Okpebholo as he bid farewell to the Senate. On Tuesday, Okpebholo had presented a ₦605 billion budget for the 2025 fiscal year to the Edo State House of Assembly.

This budget represents a 25% increase over the previous year’s budget, with 37% allocated to recurrent expenditure and 63% for capital projects.

Okpebholo emphasized that the budget would ensure accountability and transparency in governance while promoting service delivery to the people of Edo State.