The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned the Delta State House of Assembly’s decision to declare the seat of Udu Constituency lawmaker, Mr. Collins Egbetanah, vacant, describing the action as unconstitutional and politically motivated.
This is contained in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Osa Director in Abuja.
The statement accuses the Assembly and the Delta State Government of pursuing “vindictive politics” and denying the lawmaker his constitutional rights.
According to the statement, Egbetanah was elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and remained in the opposition until Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and several PDP lawmakers defected to the APC.
It alleges that despite becoming members of the same party, Egbetanah was sidelined and deprived of his salaries and entitlements because of his loyalty to former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege.
The party said the lawmaker resigned from the APC and joined the NDC on April 30, 2026, adding that the Assembly’s decision to declare his seat vacant after his defection was an abuse of legislative powers and a violation of his constitutional right to freedom of association.
The statement urges the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disregard what it described as an illegal declaration, insisting that only the courts can determine the validity of such actions.
It also states that it is pursuing legal action to challenge the decision and called on the Delta State House of Assembly to allow Egbetanah to continue representing the people of Udu Constituency pending the determination of the matter.
The statement reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that the people of Udu Constituency continue to enjoy effective representation, warning that democracy must not be undermined by what it described as legislative intimidation and political persecution.
