Group Petions Akpabio, Wants Mpigi's Seat Declared Vacant
Wisdom Tide
26/08/2024
A socio-political organization, Conscience of Ogoni People (COOP), has submitted a petition to the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, urging him to declare the seat of Senator Barry Mpigi vacant due to his prolonged absence from both the Senate and his constituency.
COOP highlighted that Senator Mpigi, who represents the Rivers South-East Senatorial District, has been absent for over five months, neglecting his legislative duties and the needs of his constituents. According to the group, this extended absence has had detrimental effects on the people of the Rivers South-East Senatorial District, as they have been left without adequate representation.
The leader of COOP, Chief Gani Topba, referenced the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which stipulates that a Senator must attend Senate sessions for at least 180 days within a calendar year. Chief Topba noted that Senator Mpigi’s absence exceeds one-third of this period, thereby rendering him ineligible to continue holding his seat.
Chief Topba has called on the Senate President to declare Senator Mpigi's seat vacant, allowing the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a by-election. This, he argued, would give the people of the Rivers South-East Senatorial District the opportunity to elect a representative who would effectively address their concerns.
The petition states, in part: "COOP hereby requests that you invoke your powers under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and declare the seat of Senator Barry Mpigi, who represents the good people of Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Rivers State, in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, vacant.
"This request is based on the fact that Senator Barry Mpigi has not been seen or heard from within the legislative chambers or on the Senate floor for several months. As members of his Senatorial District, the Ogoni people have not had any communication with him for over five months.
"We are unaware of his whereabouts or the reasons behind his absence. He has not been fulfilling his legislative duties or representing the interests of his constituents.
"Senate President, you will recall that the Rivers South-East Senatorial District is crucial to Nigeria's economic development. The district is home to key federal government-owned and controlled companies and establishments, including the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, the Federal Lighter Terminal, the Federal Ocean Terminal, the Onne Port, the Indorama Fertilizer/Petrochemicals plant, the Port Harcourt Petroleum Refining Company of Nigeria Limited, Alesa, and various other private industries. Additionally, the East-West Road, a major artery into the Niger Delta Region's economic hub, runs through this district.
"The presence of these establishments, alongside the security needs of the district, necessitates that our Senator is available to address the issues and challenges facing his constituents. Unfortunately, Senator Barry Mpigi has abandoned his post without leave, leaving the people of the district without a representative to voice their concerns.
The petition further emphasizes: "Distinguished Senate President, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) mandates that a member of the Senate must attend sessions for a minimum of 180 days in any given calendar year. The same Constitution empowers you, as Senate President, to declare vacant the seat of any member who is absent for a period exceeding one-third of 180 days within the same calendar year.
"We, the constituents of Senator Barry Mpigi’s district, have neither seen him in Senate sessions, on Senate Committee assignments, nor within the district for the past five months. His absence surpasses one-third of the constitutionally mandated 180 days required for a Senator to fulfill his duties.
"We, therefore, urge you, Distinguished Senate President, to act in the best interest of the Rivers South-East Senatorial District by declaring Senator Barry Mpigi's seat vacant. This will enable the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a by-election, thereby providing our people with the representation they desperately need and deserve."
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