Delta Assembly declares Udu lawmaker’s seat vacant over defection to NDC

The Delta State House of Assembly has declared vacant the seat of the member representing Udu State Constituency, Hon. Collins Egbetamah, following his resignation from the All Progressives Congress, APC, and defection to the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.

The House said the declaration was made in accordance with Section 109(1)(g) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

The decision followed the adoption of a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Arthur Akpowowo, and unanimously approved during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Hon. Emomotimi Guwor.

Declaring the seat vacant, Guwor directed the Clerk of the House to communicate the resolution to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and other relevant authorities.

“Accordingly, this Honourable House is satisfied that the constitutional requirements under Section 109 of the Constitution have been fulfilled. Therefore, pursuant to Section 109(1) and (2), I hereby declare the seat of the Honourable Member representing Udu State Constituency vacant with immediate effect,” the Speaker said.

He also requested INEC to take the necessary constitutional steps to conduct a by-election to fill the vacancy in line with Section 116(2) of the Constitution.

Presenting the motion titled, “Consideration of the Letter from the Honourable Member Representing Udu State Constituency Pursuant to Section 109 of the Constitution,” Nwaobi said documentary evidence before the House confirmed that Egbetamah defected from the APC to the NDC while still serving as a member of the Assembly.

He cited Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution, which provides that a lawmaker elected on the platform of a political party shall vacate his seat if he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of his tenure, except in circumstances expressly provided for by the Constitution.

Earlier, the Speaker read Egbetamah’s resignation letter dated June 19, 2026, in which the lawmaker informed the House that he resigned from the APC on April 30, 2026, to pursue his political aspirations.

In the letter, Egbetamah expressed appreciation to the APC and its stakeholders for their support during his membership of the party.