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NDC Urges INEC to Reject Delta Lawmaker’s Seat Declaration, Alleges Political Persecution
By Prosper Okoye
Nigeria’s National Democratic Coalition (NDC) on Tuesday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disregard the Delta State House of Assembly’s declaration of the seat of lawmaker Collins Egbetanah vacant, describing the action as unconstitutional and politically motivated.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the party said Egbetanah, who represents Udu Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, was subjected to political victimisation following his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the NDC on April 30, 2026.
The NDC alleged that Egbetanah, originally elected on the APC platform, faced months of withheld salaries and entitlements after Delta State Governor and several lawmakers defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
According to the party, tensions arose because Egbetanah was an existing APC member and remained loyal to former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, making him a perceived political threat to the new entrants.
The party further alleged that after Egbetanah resigned from the APC to join the NDC, the Delta State House of Assembly declared his seat vacant and labelled him persona non grata in what it described as “vindictiveness” and “selective justice.”
The NDC argued that the declaration violated the lawmaker’s constitutional rights to freedom of association and assembly and called on INEC not to recognise the Assembly’s decision.
It said it would pursue legal action to challenge the development while urging the Delta State House of Assembly to allow Egbetanah to continue representing his constituents 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.
The Delta State House of Assembly had not responded to the allegations at the time of the statement.
