News
Senate declares top Senator’s seat vacant
The Senate Wednesday declared Edo Central Senatorial Seat vacant and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) to conduct bye- election to fill the vacant seat.
The red Chamber had before declaring the Edo Central Senatorial Seat vacant , held valedictory session for Governor Monday Okpebholo who before his assumption of office on the 12th of November, 2024 served as the Senator representing Edo Central Senatorial District.
Specifically, the.President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, who declared the seat vacant, said the declaration was made in adherence to Section 68(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, which stipulates that a federal lawmaker’s seat becomes vacant upon assumption of another public office.
The announcement followed a letter submitted by Senator Abba Moro, Senate Minority Leader, which highlighted the constitutional requirement to declare the seat vacant and invited the Senate President to notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organize a fresh election for the district.
Before declaring Edo Central senatorial seat vacant, many Senators during the valedictory session, expressed their joy on emergence of Senator Okpebholo as Edo state governor but added that they will miss his absence in the Senate.
They eulogised his virtues as a humble, hardworking, dedicated and committed person who is loved by his people and many Nigerians.
Specifically, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin described the governor as a humble person and man of few words but full of action, noting that the people of Edo State elected him “because he’s someone who has people’s interest at heart.”
He said that Okpebholo was doing the right thing in the Senate and had started doing same in Edo, advising him to remain focused without distraction.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC Edo North) , in his own remarks, pointed out that the governor has made a great mark within his one year of being a senator and short period as the governor.
In his valedictory speech, Governor Okpebholo thanked all the Senators for their kind words and best wishes.
He promised to be a good ambassador of the Senate in the executive arm of government.
With declaration of Edo Central Senatorial Seat vacant and death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah (APC Anambra South), two out of the 109 Senatorial seats are vacant, making configuration of the Senate in membership across party lines to be 63 APC Senators, 34 PDP Senators, five Labour Party Senators, two NNPP Senators, two SDP Senators and One APGA Senators.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai has launched a scathing attack on President Bola Tinubu’s administration, describing it as the “worst, most corrupt, and most intolerant” federal government since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
Speaking to journalists in Katsina on Monday night, el-Rufai accused the government of widespread dishonesty and failure to address the country’s worsening insecurity.
“This is the worst federal government in Nigerian history, and all the indices have shown it,” he said.
He charged the Tinubu administration with spreading propaganda, particularly on the security situation in the country.
“They lied that security has improved in Nigeria. They read out numbers of bandits killed except the ones we know are the leading bandits… Dogo Gide is still around, Mallam Abba… Bello Turji is still around,” he claimed.
Issues of insecurity in northern Nigeria
El-Rufai questioned how many local government areas remain under bandit control in states like Katsina, Zamfara, and parts of Sokoto, accusing the federal government of ignoring the root causes of insecurity.
He also hinted at a political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections, predicting that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) would unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
El-Rufai was in Katsina to offer condolences to Governor Dikko Radda over his mother’s passing.
Days earlier, he had joined former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other political figures on a unity visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna.
He later described the visit as a symbol of “unity and brotherhood.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Arsenal on Wednesday hammered Real Madrid and finally hit the semis on 5-1 aggregate.
Bukayo Saka after losing a penalty in the the first half at the 13th minute but made up at the 65th minute.
Vinicius Jnr equalised within two minutes as Gabriel Martinelli nailed it for Arsemal at extra time.
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