Senate Declares Ondo South Senatorial Seat Vacant Following Ibrahim’s Appointment to UN Position

Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, has said that the Ondo South senatorial seat is open because Senator Jimoh Ibrahim was named Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN).

During the plenary session on Tuesday, Akpabio made the announcement and said that the declaration takes effect right away, as the Constitution says it should.

The Senate President also told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hold a by-election within 30 days to fill the empty seat.

The 1999 Constitution (as amended) says that the National Assembly must tell the electoral body whenever there is a vacancy so that a new election can be held.

It was known that Ibrahim started his diplomatic work at the UN on April 20 by giving his Letters of Credence to UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

The presentation happened at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, USA.

Kimiebi Ebienfa, the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s spokesperson, confirmed the news and called it a major step forward in Nigeria’s diplomatic efforts on the world stage.

Ibrahim is now fully qualified to represent Nigeria at the UN because he has sent in the letters.

He should be able to explain the country’s positions on important international issues and take part in multilateral negotiations.

Ibrahim was a businessman and politician who represented the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Ondo South Senatorial District before he was appointed.