UGHELLI, Delta State — Hon. Dr. Olotu Akpodiete JP, a House of Representatives candidate hopeful under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has condemned the decision of the Delta State House of Assembly to declare the Udu Constituency seat vacant, describing the action as “undemocratic.”
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Dr. Akpodiete called on the affected lawmaker, Hon. Collins Egbetamah, to challenge the declaration in court, expressing confidence that the matter would be resolved in favour of Udu Constituency. He insisted that the voice of the people of Udu cannot be silenced in the State House of Assembly.
“Udu Constituency’s voice cannot be shut down in the State House of Assembly,” Akpodiete said. “I believe Hon. Egbetamah will be victorious if he seeks redress through the appropriate legal channels.”
The PDP chieftain also questioned the moral standing of the Assembly to declare the seat vacant, noting that several lawmakers had themselves defected from the PDP to the APC last year. He argued that the decision to declare the seat vacant was inconsistent with the Assembly’s handling of previous defections and raised concerns about selective application of the rules.
Akpodiete urged the House to reconsider and recall its decision to ensure that Udu Constituency continues to participate fully in legislative activities. He further appealed to constituents in Udu to remain calm, expressing hope that the seat would be restored and that representation would not be interrupted.
The declaration of the Udu Constituency seat vacant has sparked widespread concern among political observers and residents, with many questioning the grounds for the decision and its implications for democratic representation in the state.
The affected lawmaker, Hon. Collins Egbetamah, has yet to publicly respond to the declaration or indicate whether he will challenge the decision in court. However, political analysts have noted that similar cases in the past have been resolved through judicial intervention, and that the courts have often upheld the rights of constituents to retain their elected representatives.
As the controversy continues, the Delta State House of Assembly has not issued a formal response to Akpodiete’s call for a recall of the vacancy declaration. For now, the people of Udu Constituency await clarity on the status of their representation in the State House of Assembly.
