Lawmakers explain reason for declaring Delta legislator's position empty

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The Delta State House of Assembly says the decision to declare the seat of the member representing Udu Constituency vacant was taken in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

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The Chairman of the House Committee on Information and House Leader, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, gave the explanation in Asaba.

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Nwaobi said the Assembly acted strictly within its constitutional powers and not for political reasons.

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He said, “The House merely carried out its constitutional responsibility after considering the resignation and defection letter submitted by the lawmaker representing Udu Constituency.”

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The assembly spokesman explained that the Constitution clearly states the conditions under which a lawmaker can defect from the political party on whose platform he or she was elected without losing the seat.

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According to him, the only condition is where there is a division or crisis within the political party at the national level.

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He said there was no evidence before the Assembly to show that the lawmaker’s defection met that constitutional requirement.

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Nwaobi said, “The Delta State House of Assembly is guided solely by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Every action taken by the House is rooted in the law, and nothing is done outside the provisions of the Constitution.”

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He added that the Assembly’s resolution should not be seen as a political vendetta but as a faithful implementation of the Constitution.

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The House leader reaffirmed the commitment of the Assembly to the rule of law, constitutional democracy and legislative integrity.

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He urged members of the public to study the relevant provisions of the Constitution before drawing conclusions on the Assembly’s decision.

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