The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been called to conduct elections as soon as possible for the vacant seat of the Edo Central Senatorial district, following the election of Senator Monday Okpebholo, as Governor of the state.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday declared Okpebholo’s seat vacant, after a valedictory session for Okpebholo organised by the Senate.
Recall that last month, Vice President Kashim Shettima led the federal government delegation and Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to grace Okpebholo’s inauguration in Edo state after it won the People’s Democratic Party.
Declaring his seat vacant, Akpabio urged the Governor to uphold his legacy of good works in his new role
Akpabio also asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections as soon as possible to fill the vacant seat. This move is aimed at ensuring that the people of Edo Central Senatorial district continue to have representation in the Senate.
In a related development, yesterday, Okpebholo presented N605 billion as the 2025 budget, titled “Renewed Hope for a Rising Edo,” to the 24-member House of Assembly, which represents 25 percent increase over the 2024 budget.
In keeping with his administration’s vision of a newly emerging Edo, Governor Okpebholo stated that N381 billion, or 63 percent, would be set aside for capital projects, while 37 percent of the budget, or N223 billion, would be devoted to recurring expenses.
Okpebholo said: “The proposed appropriation bill is a product of wide consultations. It will ensure accountability and transparency in governance, for responsive service delivery to the people of Edo State.
“The 2025 proposed budget is designed to achieve the goals of my five-point agenda, which are security, infrastructural development, healthcare, food sufficiency and education.
