NDC warns INEC against recognising Delta Assembly’s move to sack Egbetanah

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission not to recognise the Delta State House of Assembly’s declaration of Hon. Collins Egbetanah’s seat vacant.

Egbetanah, who represents Udu Constituency in the Assembly, had his seat declared vacant after he defected from the All Progressives Congress to the NDC.

But the NDC, in a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, described the Assembly’s action as unconstitutional and an attack on Egbetanah’s right to freedom of association.

The party said INEC must not act on the declaration because the matter would be challenged through the legal process.

According to the NDC, Egbetanah was elected into the Delta State House of Assembly on the platform of the APC and initially served as a minority lawmaker.

The party said the political situation later changed after Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and several members of the Peoples Democratic Party defected to the APC.

It alleged that following those defections, Egbetanah became politically isolated and was denied salaries and other entitlements for several months.

The NDC said Egbetanah eventually resigned from the APC and joined the party on April 30, 2026, before the Assembly moved to declare his seat vacant.

The party rejected the decision, insisting that Egbetanah should be allowed to continue representing the people of Udu Constituency until the court determines the matter.

It urged INEC to ignore the Assembly’s declaration and avoid taking any action that could validate what it called an unlawful move.

The NDC also reaffirmed its readiness to seek legal remedy, saying it would not allow the mandate of Udu Constituency to be taken away through what it described as an unconstitutional process.

The Delta State House of Assembly has not publicly responded to the NDC’s latest statement.