The Delta State House of Assembly has declared the Udu State Constituency seat vacant following the defection of its occupant, Hon. Collins Egbetamah, from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The decision was taken during Tuesday’s plenary sitting after lawmakers unanimously adopted a motion presented by the House Leader, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, and seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo. The session was presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor.
Declaring the seat vacant, the Speaker said the House acted in accordance with Section 109(1)(g) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which requires a legislator to forfeit his seat upon defecting from the political party on whose platform he was elected, except under constitutionally recognised circumstances.
Guwor directed the Clerk of the House to immediately communicate the resolution to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant authorities.
He also urged INEC to initiate the constitutional process for a
by-election to fill the vacant Udu State Constituency seat in line with Section 116(2) of the Constitution.While presenting the motion titled “Consideration of the Letter from the Honourable Member Representing Udu State Constituency Pursuant to Section 109 of the Constitution,” Hon. Nwaobi told the House that documentary evidence confirmed that Egbetamah had resigned from the APC and formally joined the NDC while still serving as a member of the Assembly.
According to him, Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution clearly states that a lawmaker elected on the platform of one political party must vacate his seat if he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of his tenure, except where the Constitution provides otherwise.
Earlier, the Speaker read a resignation letter dated 19 June 2026, in which Egbetamah informed the House that he had resigned from the APC on 30 April 2026 to pursue his political aspirations.
In the letter, the lawmaker expressed appreciation to the APC and its stakeholders for their support throughout his time in the party.
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