NDC Condemns Delta Assembly Over Move Against Egbetamah

The National Democratic Coalition (NDC) has condemned the Delta State House of Assembly over its decision to declare the seat of Udu Constituency lawmaker, Collins Egbetamah, vacant, describing the action as unconstitutional and politically motivated.

The party made its position known in a statement signed on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, alleging that the lawmaker had been subjected to victimisation following his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the NDC.

According to the party, Egbetamah was elected into the Delta State House of Assembly on the platform of the APC and remained one of its minority members until Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and several lawmakers defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

The NDC alleged that despite becoming members of the same political party, loyalists of the governor viewed Egbetamah as a threat because he was an original APC member and maintained his loyalty to former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege.

The party further claimed that the lawmaker was denied his salaries and other entitlements for several months before resigning from the APC on April 30, 2026, to join the NDC.

It alleged that his defection was met with what it described as vindictiveness by the Delta State Government and the State House of Assembly, culminating in the declaration of his seat as vacant and his designation as persona non grata.

“In a politically unprecedented move, 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.

The NDC argued that the decision violated Egbetamah’s constitutional right to freedom of association and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission not to recognise the declaration.

“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,” the party stated.

It added that it would explore all legal avenues to challenge the development while urging the House to allow Egbetamah to continue performing his constitutional duties as the elected representative of Udu Constituency.

The party maintained that the people of the constituency should not be denied effective representation because of political disagreements, pledging to ensure they continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy through their elected lawmaker.