The Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) has strongly condemned the Delta State House of Assembly for declaring the seat of Honourable Collins Egbetanah, representing Udu Constituency, vacant and labeling him a persona non grata following his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the NDC. The move, which has sparked national attention, is seen as a blatant act of political retaliation and selective justice. The NDC described the Assembly’s actions as “politically abhorrent and unacceptable,” warning that it undermines democratic principles and constitutional rights.
Honourable Egbetanah was originally elected on the APC platform and served as a minority member of the Delta State House of Assembly. His political journey took a turn when Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and several Assembly members defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the APC. As a founding member of the APC in the state and a loyal supporter of former Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, Egbetanah became a perceived threat to the new power structure within the APC. This shift in political dynamics led to growing tensions and ultimately his marginalization.
Since his switch to the NDC, the Delta State House of Assembly has withheld Egbetanah’s salaries and entitlements for several months, effectively sidelining him from his constitutional duties. The NDC has accused the Assembly of engaging in legislative rascality and using its powers to intimidate and punish political opponents. In a statement signed by Osa Director Esq, the National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, the party emphasized that the process used to declare Egbetanah’s seat vacant is unconstitutional and violates his rights to free association and assembly.
The NDC is urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reject what it calls an act of political intimidation and illegality. The party has vowed to pursue all legal avenues to restore Egbetanah’s position and ensure he can continue serving his constituents without interference. “We are calling on the Delta State House of Assembly to allow Hon. Egbetanah to perform his constitutional duties for which he was elected by the people of Udu Constituency,” the statement read.
The NDC reiterated its commitment to delivering democratic dividends to the people of Udu through effective representation. The party stressed that no form of legislative overreach should hinder its dedication to public service. This development highlights the ongoing challenges of political loyalty and governance in Nigeria’s state assemblies, where defections often trigger retaliatory actions. As the legal battle unfolds, the case could set a precedent for how state legislatures handle political realignments and protect the rights of elected representatives.
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