Senate President Godswill Akpabio has formally declared three seats in Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber vacant following the defection of their occupants to other political parties.
The announcement, made during plenary on Tuesday, affects senators who recently switched allegiance, in line with constitutional provisions on cross-carpeting.
Akpabio cited Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that a legislator who defects from the party on whose platform he or she was elected automatically loses the seat.
“The seats of the three distinguished senators have become vacant by operation of law,” Akpabio told the chamber. “The Independent National Electoral Commission will be duly notified to conduct fresh elections in the affected senatorial districts.”
