Powerful lawmaker’s seat declared vacant for dumping APC in popular south-south state

The Delta State House of Assembly has declared the seat of Udu State Constituency vacant following the defection of lawmaker Hon. Collins Ogbetamah from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The decision was announced during Tuesday’s plenary after Speaker Dennis Guwor read Ogbetamah’s resignation letter, dated June 19, 2026.

Leading the debate, Majority Leader Emeka Nwaobi invoked Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which provides that any legislator elected on the platform of a political party automatically loses his or her seat upon joining another party, except in circumstances recognised by the Constitution.

The House unanimously adopted the motion declaring the seat vacant and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a by-election to fill the vacancy.

Speaker Guwor said the Assembly’s action was in strict compliance with constitutional provisions governing legislative defections.

“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 ruled.

He also directed the Clerk of the House to formally notify INEC and other relevant authorities, urging the electoral commission to commence the constitutional process for a by-election in the constituency.

The development comes amid heightened political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with several politicians across the country switching party affiliations.

Despite recent defections, the APC remains the ruling party in Delta State following the earlier defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, alongside several state and federal lawmakers, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).