By Thompson Yamput
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has threatened Court action against Delta State House of Assembly and Government over what it described as politically motivated and unconstitutional declaration of a State Legislatir’s Seat vacant.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Osa Director Esq, made the threat and condemnation in a statement signed and issued to journalists in Abuja on Monday..
The Delta House of Assembly had on Monday declared the seat of Hon. Collins Egbetanah, member representing Udu Constituency of Delta state vacant, following his decamping from All Progressives Congress (APC) to the NDC on April 30.
The house and the state government also declared Egbetanah persona non grata.
NDC said that the manner in which his seat was declared vacant is unconstitutional and violates Egbetanah’s right to free assembly and association.
According to the party, the action is simply politics of vindictiveness and selective justice being perpetuated by the Delta state house of Assembly in respect of Hon. Egbetanah.
The party called on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disregard the action of the Delta state house of Assembly and the state government.
“We, at the NDC view this action as politically abominable and reprehensible.
“We are hereby calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission, 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 Hon. 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 Hon Egbetanah. .
“Our commitment to service to the people can not be abridged by any form of legislative rascality, ” it said.
Hon. 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 All Progressives Congress, APC.
But that those who decamped as loyalists of the governor began to see Hon 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 Hon. Egbetanah of his salaries and entitlements.” (ephemeralnews.com.ng)..
