Senate Declares Okpebholo’s Seat Vacant

The Senate has officially declared the Edo Central senatorial seat vacant following the emergence of Monday Okpebholo as the Governor of Edo State.

The seat was declared vacant on Wednesday during a plenary presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The Senate also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organize a new election to fill the vacancy left by the departure of Okpebholo from the legislative chamber.

On Wednesday, the lawmakers conducted a valedictory session for the Edo State Governor as he bid farewell to the Senate.

During the session, Akpabio charged Okpbeholo to keep his legacy of good works as he carries out his duties as governor of Edo state.

On Tuesday, Governor Monday Okpebholo, presented the sum of ₦605 billion before the Edo State House of Assembly as the estimated budget for the 2025 fiscal year.

Naija News reports that a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Fred Itua, Okpehbolo, while presenting the budget to the hallow chamber on Tuesday, said the Appropriation Bill is a 25 percent increase from the 2024 Budget.

Okpebholo said in the 2025 Budget tagged: ‘Budget of Renewed Hope for a Rising Edo’, 37% of this sum, amounting to N223 billion, will be dedicated to recurrent expenditure, while the remaining N381 billion, which represents 63%, will go into capital projects.

The Governor said the proposed Bill is the product of extensive consultations and will ensure accountability and transparency in governance, ensuring responsive service delivery to the people of Edo State.