The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, has clarified the House’s resolution declaring the seat of the member representing Udu Constituency vacant.
The Lawmaker who is the Leader of the House, insisted that the decision was reached strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.
Addressing journalists after Tuesday’s plenary, Nwaobi said the Assembly neither acted arbitrarily nor out of political consideration, stressing that lawmakers merely discharged their constitutional responsibility.
He explained that the resignation and subsequent defection letter submitted by the lawmaker representing Udu Constituency was inconsistent with constitutional and electoral guidelines governing the tenure of elected legislators.
According to him, the Constitution clearly stipulates the limited circumstances under which a lawmaker may defect from the political party on whose platform he or she was elected without forfeiting the seat.
Nwaobi noted that the only constitutional exception permitting such defection is where there is a division or crisis within the political party at the national level that sponsored the legislator into office.
Reading from Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution, the House Leader maintained that there was no evidence before the Assembly to suggest that the lawmaker’s defection fell within the constitutional exception.
“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,” Chairman House Committee on Information stated.
The Lawmaker emphasized that the House remains committed to upholding the rule of law, constitutional democracy and legislative integrity, adding that its resolution should not be misconstrued as a political vendetta but rather as faithful implementation of the Constitution.
Nwaobi urged members of the public to acquaint themselves with the relevant constitutional provisions before drawing conclusions on the Assembly’s decision, reaffirming that the legislature will continue to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution in the discharge of its duties.