The announcement was made during plenary on Wednesday and follows the death of the former occupant, Adewunmi Onanuga, who died on 15 January 2025 after a brief illness.
Abbas said the declaration was in accordance with Section 68(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates the legislature to declare a seat vacant following the death or resignation of a member.
With the declaration, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to schedule a bye-election to fill the vacancy.
The Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North seat is one of five currently vacant in the House of Representatives. Four of these are due to the deaths of sitting members, while the Oredo Federal Constituency seat in Edo State became vacant following the swearing-in of Dennis Idahosa as the state’s deputy governor.