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 it would take effect right away, as required by the Constitution.
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 UN Headquarters in New York City, USA.
Kimiebi Ebienfa, a spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, confirmed the news and called it a “milestone” in Nigeria’s diplomatic efforts around the world.
Ibrahim is now fully qualified to represent Nigeria at the UN because he has officially submitted the letters.
He is expected to clearly explain the country’s stance on important global issues and take an active role in negotiations with multiple countries.
Before he became president, Ibrahim was a businessman and politician who represented the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Ondo South Senatorial District.
