The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has opposed the decision of the Delta State House of Assembly to declare the seat of the member representing Udu State Constituency, Hon. Egbetamah Collins vacant, following his defection from the All Progressives Congress(APC) to the party.
NDC in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, described the action as politically abominable and reprehensible.
It noted that the manner in which the lawmaker’s seat was declared vacant is unconstitutional and violated his right to free assembly and association.
The party called on the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) to disregard what it described as act of illegality and political gangsterism by the Delta State House of Assembly.
NDC also urged the Delta State House of Assembly to allow Egbetamah performed his constitutional duties for which he was elected to do by his people, adding it is taking every legal step to resolve the matter.
“We note with utter consternation and disgust the politics of vindictiveness and selective justice being perpetuated by the Delta state house of Assembly in respect of Honourable Collins Egbetamah, a member representing Udu Constituency of Delta state.
“Hon. Egbetamah was elected under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC. He was a minority member of the house until the Governor of Delta state and several members of the Delta state house of Assembly decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to join him in the All Progressives Congress, APC.
“However, those who decamped as loyalists of the governor began to see Hon Egbetanah as a threat, being an original member of APC, and also because of his avowed loyalty to the former Deputy President of Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege.
“Consequently, for several months the Delta state house of Assembly, acting on the directive of the Delta state government, deprived Hon. Egbetamah of his salaries and entitlements.
“On the 30th of April, 2026 Hon. Egbetamah resigned his membership of the APC and joined the NDC. His resignation was met with vindictiveness, political callousness and indignity by the Delta state house of Assembly and government.
“We are hereby calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to disregard the act of illegality and political gangsterism by the Delta state house of Assembly.
“As we take every legal step to resolve this matter we urge the Delta state house of Assembly to allow Hon. Egbetamah performed his constitutional duties for which he was elected to do by his people,” the party said.
