*ORO MEDIA PROFESSSIONALS WRITES SPEAKER GBAJABIAMILA, WANT LATE NSE EKPENYONG'S SEAT DECLARED VACANT*

... _urged INEC to fix date, conduct bye-election to fill vacant seat_

*By First Media Naija | July 8, 2022*

A non partisan coalition of frontline print, electronic and new media influencers from Oro ethnic nationality of Akwa Ibom State under the aegis of Oro Media Professionals - OMPRO has urged the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila to declare the seat of former member, late Nse Ekpenyong vacant so as to enable INEC conduct bye-election to fill in the vacant seat.

The Oro apex media group in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, said the National Assembly should urgently declare the seat of the former member vacant to enable the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fix the date for the bye election because the people of the people of Oro Federal Constituency were being deprived of proper representation at the Green Chamber.

Oro Media Professionals (OMPRO) which is a non partisan coalition formed to present a formidable platform to galvanise the people of Oro towards a common good also demanded the invocation of the provisions of Section 85 of the Electoral Act 2022 as amended in respect of the seat of the former member representing Oron Federal constituency in Akwa Ibom state.

“ We write to express the fears and predicament of our people to you and to draw your attention to the lack of representation of the people of the Oron Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State in the National Assembly."

The letter which has been sent to Speaker Gbajabiamila via his verifiable email address - femigbaja1@gmail.com , explained that the Oron Federal Constituency seat became vacant following the unfortunate and painful demise of their former occupant.

"Recall that pursuant to the demise of the former member, Late Rt, Hon. Nse Ekpenyong, on Saturday, April 23, 2022, and subsequent obsequeis on June 30, 2022; his seat at the Nigerian National Assembly has been vacant."

"In effect, it is about four months now since the seat occupied by the Late Nse Ekpenyong became vacant thereby leaving the people of Oron Federal Constituency without representation at the National Assembly.

"Our son, Hon. Nse Ekpenyong was representing the Oron Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State and would have completed his second term in May 2023

"Our worry and that of the people is predicated on the premise that Oron Federal Constituency has been deprived of representation and benefits that would have gone to the area and people based on the absence of any representation. .

"It is sad that Oron Federal Constituency was not present during the NASS debate and recent screening of Ministerial Nominees and other important legislative business that have taken place within this period.

"We, hereby, on behalf of our people in Oron Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State call on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, to declare his seat vacant, so as to enable the electoral commission, INEC, to conduct a fresh election to fill the seat in the federal constituency as the youths and people of the area are becoming subservient with the unpleasant development.

"Mr. Speaker Sir, this serves as a formal notification, pursuant to the provisions of Section 85 of the Electoral Act 2022 as amended. While hoping to receive your cooperation, please accept the assurances of our highest esteem and solidarity always," they said.