The National Democratic Coalition (NDC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disregard the Delta State House of Assembly’s declaration of the seat of Udu Constituency lawmaker, Collins Egbetanah, as vacant, describing the decision as unconstitutional and politically motivated.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the party said Egbetanah was subjected to political victimisation after defecting from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the NDC on 30 April 2026.
According to the NDC, Egbetanah, who was elected to the Delta State House of Assembly on the APC platform, had faced months of withheld salaries and other entitlements following the defection of Delta State Governor and several lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
The party alleged that tensions emerged because Egbetanah remained loyal to former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, making him a perceived political threat to the new APC members.
It further claimed that following his resignation from the APC and subsequent defection to the NDC, the Delta State House of Assembly declared his seat vacant and declared him persona non grata, actions it described as vindictive and an example of selective justice.
The NDC argued that the Assembly’s decision violated Egbetanah’s constitutional rights to freedom of association and assembly and called on INEC not to recognise the declaration.
The party said it would challenge the decision in court and urged the Delta State House of Assembly to allow Egbetanah to continue representing Udu Constituency pending the resolution of the dispute.
“The NDC remains committed to ensuring that the people of Udu Constituency continue to enjoy effective representation and the dividends of democracy through Hon. Collins Egbetanah,” the statement said.
