The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has codemned the Delta State House of Assembly, for declaring Collins Egbetanah, a member representing Udu Constituency, persona non grata, describing the action as politically abominable and reprehensible.
It also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to disregard the action of the Delta State House of Assembly, declaring the seat of Egbetanah, vacant.
NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, in a statement on Monday, said: “We note with utter consternation and disgust the politics of vindictiveness and selective justice being perpetuated by the Delta State Assembly in respect of Egbetanah, a member representing Udu Constituency of Delta State.
Egbetanah 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 APC.
“However, those who decamped as loyalists of the governor began to see 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 Egbetanah of his salaries and entitlements.
READ ALSO: Court orders forfeiture of ex-power minister, Mamman’s Abuja property
“On April 30, 2026, Egbetanah 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.
“In a politically unprecedented move, the Delta State House of Assembly purportedly declared his seat vacant and declared him a persona non grata. We, at the NDC view this action as politically abominable and reprehensible. The manner in which his seat was declared vacant is unconstitutional and violates Egbetanah’s right to free Assembly and association.
“We are hereby calling on 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 Egbetanah performed his constitutional duties for which he was elected to do by his people.
“The NDC as a party is committed to the people of Udu Constituency receiving the benefits and dividends of democracy through the effective representation by Egbetanah. Our commitment to service to the people cannot be abridged by any form of legislative rascality,” the statement added.
