The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has formally declared the Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency seat in Ogun State vacant, following the passing of Hon. Adewunmi Onanuga.
Onanuga, who served as the Deputy Chief Whip in the House, died on January 15, 2025, after a brief illness.
Her death left a vacuum in the Green Chamber, prompting the Speaker’s declaration during plenary on Wednesday.
“In accordance with Section 68(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the seat representing Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency in Ogun State is hereby declared vacant,” Abbas announced on the floor of the House.
The declaration paves the way for the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a bye-election to fill the vacant seat.
INEC is also expected to announce dates for other bye-elections in both state and federal legislatures where seats have become vacant.
At present, five seats in the House of Representatives are vacant—four due to the deaths of sitting members, and one in Oredo Federal Constituency, Edo State, which became vacant after Dennis Idahosa was sworn in as the state’s Deputy Governor.
“This is a procedural requirement and a necessary step in ensuring continued representation for all constituencies in the House,” Speaker Abbas said.
With the declaration, residents of Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North will soon head to the polls to elect a new representative in line with democratic and constitutional processes.
