NDC Accuses Delta Assembly of Political Persecution Over Egbetanah’s Defection

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned the Delta State House of Assembly’s decision to declare the seat of Hon. Collins Egbetanah, representing Udu Constituency, vacant, describing the action as unconstitutional, vindictive and politically motivated.
In a press statement issued on behalf of the party by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director Esq., the NDC alleged that the lawmaker had been subjected to sustained political victimisation following recent political realignments in Delta State.
According to the party, Egbetanah was elected into the Delta State House of Assembly on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and initially served as a minority member. The NDC said the political landscape later changed when the Delta State Governor and several lawmakers defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
The party claimed that despite belonging to the same political party, Egbetanah allegedly became a target because he was an original APC member and remained loyal to former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege.
The statement further alleged that the Delta State House of Assembly, acting at the instance of the state government, withheld the lawmaker’s salaries and other entitlements for several months before he resigned from the APC on April 30, 2026, to join the NDC.
According to the NDC, Egbetanah’s defection was followed by what it described as “vindictiveness, political callousness and indignity,” culminating in the declaration of his legislative seat as vacant and his designation as persona non grata by the House.
The party described the action as “politically abominable and reprehensible,” arguing that the declaration violated the lawmaker’s constitutional rights to freedom of association and political participation.
Calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disregard the Assembly’s action, the NDC alleged that the move amounted to “illegality and political gangsterism” and urged the electoral body not to recognise any process arising from the declaration.
The party also disclosed that it would challenge the matter through legal channels while urging the Delta State House of Assembly to allow Egbetanah to continue carrying out the mandate freely given to him by the people of Udu Constituency.
Reaffirming its commitment to the constituency, the NDC said it remained determined to ensure that the people of Udu continue to enjoy effective representation and the dividends of democracy.
As of the time of filing this report, the Delta State House of Assembly had not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the NDC’s statement. Likewise, there was no immediate reaction from INEC regarding the party’s appeal.