Delta Assembly declares Udu lawmaker’s seat vacant after defection from APC to NDC

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

The decision was taken during Tuesday’s plenary sitting after lawmakers unanimously adopted a motion moved by the Leader of the House, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, and seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo.

Presiding over the session, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, ruled that Egbetamah had forfeited his seat in accordance with the provisions of Section 109(1)(g) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which bars legislators elected on the platform of one political party from defecting to another before the expiration of their tenure, except under constitutionally recognised circumstances.

READ ALSO: Mass Exodus looms in Delta APC as Ochei dumps party

“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,” Guwor declared.

The Speaker directed the Clerk of the House to formally communicate the resolution to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant authorities.

He also requested INEC to commence the constitutional process for conducting a by-election to fill the vacant seat in line with Section 116(2) of the Constitution.

Earlier, while presenting the motion titled “Consideration of the Letter from the Honourable Member Representing Udu State Constituency Pursuant to Section 109 of the Constitution,” the House Leader, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, informed lawmakers that documentary evidence before the Assembly confirmed that Egbetamah had resigned from the APC and formally joined the NDC while still serving as a member of the House.

Nwaobi cited Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution, which stipulates that a lawmaker elected on the platform of a political party shall vacate his or her seat upon becoming a member of another political party before the expiration of the legislative term, except where the defection results from a division within the political party or other constitutionally recognised exceptions.

Before the motion was debated, Speaker Guwor read Egbetamah’s resignation letter dated June 19, 2026, in which the lawmaker informed the House that he had resigned his membership of the APC on April 30, 2026, to pursue his political aspirations.

In the letter, Egbetamah expressed appreciation to the APC and party stakeholders for the support they had given him during his time as a member of the party.

With the Assembly’s resolution, attention is expected to shift to INEC, which is constitutionally empowered to conduct a by-election to fill the vacant Udu State Constituency seat in the Delta State House of Assembly.