The Delta State House of Assembly has declared the Udu State Constituency seat vacant following the defection of its occupant, Collins Egbetamah, from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Key Highlights:
Presiding over the session, the Speaker, Emomotimi Guwor, ruled that Egbetamah had forfeited his seat in accordance with Section 109(1)(g) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The speaker said the section provides that when a lawmaker elected on the platform of a political party joins another party before the expiration of his or her tenure, the lawmaker shall lose his or her seat, except in circumstances recognised by the constitution.
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Guwor consequently directed the clerk of the House to formally notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant authorities of the resolution.
He also urged INEC to commence the constitutional process for a by-election to fill the vacancy in line with Section 116(2) of the constitution.
Moving the motion, Nwaobi said the House had before it sufficient documentary evidence confirming that Egbetamah had resigned his membership of the APC and subsequently, joined the NDC while still serving as a lawmaker representing Udu State Constituency.
According to him, the constitutional provisions on party defection are clear and leave the House with no option but to declare the seat vacant.
Earlier, the speaker had read a letter from Egbetamah, dated June 19, 2026, notifying the House that he resigned from the APC on April 30, 2026, to pursue his political ambition.
In the letter, the lawmaker expressed appreciation to the APC and its stakeholders for the support they gave him during his time in the party.
