Senate Suspends Sitting for Bye-Election Campaigns in States

The Senate has announced a temporary suspension of its sessions for two days to allow members to participate in the campaign for the upcoming bye-elections scheduled for 3rd February in several states across the country. The decision was made during Tuesday’s plenary, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

According to the Senate Standing Rule, which designates Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays as official plenary days, the upper chamber reconvened after a 30-day break for the Christmas holiday. The plenary commenced around 11:25 a.m., with the Senate President welcoming his colleagues and emphasizing the importance of delivering good governance.

During the session, Mr. Akapbio encouraged senators to collaborate with President Bola Tinubu to ensure effective governance. The plenary, which lasted approximately five hours, included a two-hour closed-door session from 12:20 p.m. to 2:25 p.m.

Following the closed-door session, the Senate President announced the suspension of plenary until Tuesday, 6th February, to allow senators to engage in campaign activities for the bye-elections in their respective constituencies. Mr. Akapbio explained that the decision was made in consideration of the limited time available for campaigning, as the campaigns are set to conclude on Thursday at midnight.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is scheduled to conduct nine bye-elections and 35 re-runs on 3rd February. These elections are necessitated by the vacancies created due to resignations, deaths, or election petition tribunal outcomes. INEC has identified two Senate vacancies, four House of Representatives vacancies, and several state constituency vacancies across nine states.

In a related development, Mr. Akpabio had previously declared the seats of Ebonyi South and Yobe East Senatorial Districts vacant following the appointment of David Umahi and Ibrahim Gaidam as Ministers of Works and Police Affairs, respectively. The House of Representatives also has vacancies in Akoko North East/Akoko North-West Federal Constituency in Ondo State; Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency, Taraba State; Surulere 1 Federal Constituency, Lagos State; and Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski Federal Constituency, Kebbi State, according to INEC.

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