Sunday Aborisade in Abuja
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned the decision of the Delta State House of Assembly to declare the seat of the member representing Udu Constituency, Collins Egbetamah, vacant following his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition party, describing the action as unconstitutional and politically motivated.
In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Osa Director, the party accused the Delta Assembly of engaging in “vindictiveness and selective justice” against the lawmaker, insisting that the move violated his constitutional rights to freedom of association and political participation.
The NDC alleged that Egbetamah, who was originally elected on the platform of the APC, became a target after the Delta State Governor and several lawmakers defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
According to the party, despite becoming members of the same political party, the governor’s loyalists allegedly viewed Egbetamah as a political rival because of his status as an original APC member and his loyalty to former Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege.
The statement further claimed that, for several months before his eventual resignation from the APC, the lawmaker was allegedly denied his salaries and other legislative entitlements by the Assembly.
The party said Egbetamah formally resigned from the APC on April 30, 2026, and joined the NDC.
Adding that his defection was immediately followed by what it described as acts of “political callousness and indignity.”
“The Delta State House of Assembly purportedly declared his seat vacant and declared him a persona non grata. We view this action as politically abominable and reprehensible,” the statement said.
According to the NDC, the Assembly lacked the constitutional authority to remove the lawmaker from office under the circumstances, maintaining that the declaration of vacancy was unlawful and inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution.
The party consequently called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disregard what it described as “an act of illegality and political gangsterism” by the Delta Assembly.
“We are hereby calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission to disregard the act of illegality and political gangsterism by the Delta State House of Assembly,” the statement added.
The NDC said it had commenced legal processes to challenge the Assembly’s action and urged the lawmakers to allow Egbetanah to continue representing his constituents pending the determination of the matter.
“As we take every legal step to resolve this matter, we urge the Delta State House of Assembly to allow Hon. Egbetamah perform his constitutional duties for which he was elected by his people,” the party stated.
Reaffirming its commitment to the people of Udu Constituency, the NDC maintained that residents should not be denied effective representation because of political disagreements.
“The NDC as a party is committed to the people of Udu Constituency receiving the benefits and dividends of democracy through the effective representation of Hon. Egbetamah. Our commitment to service to the people cannot be abridged by any form of legislative rascality,” the statement added.
Neither the Delta State House of Assembly nor the Delta State Government had responded to the allegations at the time of filing this report. Likewise, there was no immediate reaction from the INEC.
