Lawan Declares Bayelsa Gov, Deputy’s Seats Vacant*

Senate President Ahmad Lawan has declared the seats of Bayelsa Central and Bayelsa West Senatorial Districts vacant, following the election of their occupants as governor and deputy governor of Bayelsa state respectively.

The Governor, Senator Diri Douye, represented Bayelsa Central while the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, represented Bayelsa West.

Speaking at a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners RECs on Friday in Abuja, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, said the electoral umpire would soon pick dates for the conduct of a by-election to fill the two seats.

“In compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court, the Commission has presented Certificates of Return in respect of governorship elections in Imo and Bayelsa states. In the case of Bayelsa State, both the governor and deputy governor were serving senators.

“Consequently, the commission yesterday received two communications from the Senate President declaring the seats for Bayelsa Central and Bayelsa West Senatorial Districts vacant. The Commission will soon meet to determine the dates for by-elections in the two Senatorial Districts,” said Yakubu.