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The Delta State House of Assembly has declared the Udu Constituency seat vacant following the defection of its lawmaker, Collins Ogbetamah, from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Ogbetamah formally notified the House of his defection in a letter dated June 19, 2026, which was read during Tuesday’s plenary.
Following the announcement, the Majority Leader, Emeka Nwaobi, invoked the relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and moved a motion to declare the seat vacant and to request that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conduct a by-election.
The motion received the support of lawmakers, after which the Speaker declared the Udu Constituency seat vacant, saying the decision was in line with the constitutional provisions governing legislators’ defections and the declaration of vacancies.
During the sitting, the House also passed the Delta State Public and Private Properties Protection (Amendment) Bill through second reading after lawmakers overwhelmingly endorsed its general principles and objectives.
According to the Assembly, the proposed amendment seeks to strengthen protections for public and private property, enhance the recovery of public assets, establish an enforcement task force, and improve collaboration with security agencies across the state.
The Speaker subsequently referred the bill to the Joint House Committees on Housing, Urban Renewal, Lands and Survey, directing the committees to submit their report on or before July 17.
The Assembly also received the 2025 audited financial statements and audit reports for Delta State’s 25 local government councils from the Office of the Auditor-General for Local Government during Tuesday’s plenary.
