Former Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has criticised the decision of the Delta State House of Assembly to declare the seat of the Udu Constituency lawmaker, Mr Collins Egbetamah, vacant.
He described the move as unconstitutional and politically driven, calling for an immediate reversal of the decision.
The controversy follows the declaration by the Delta State House of Assembly that the Udu Constituency seat was vacant after Mr Egbetamah reportedly defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The decision was taken during plenary on Tuesday.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Asaba, Omo-Agege strongly rejected the action of the Assembly, insisting that due process was not followed.
He argued that the lawmaker was not given a fair hearing before his seat was declared vacant.
According to him, the decision amounted to a breach of constitutional safeguards and legislative procedure.
Omo-Agege said the action was not a routine legislative process but a politically motivated decision aimed at achieving partisan objectives.
He maintained that the Constitution guarantees fairness and hearing for any elected official facing removal.
The former Senate Deputy President specifically referenced Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution, noting that it contains exceptions in cases where party division exists.
He argued that the circumstances surrounding the defection were not properly examined before the decision was made.
According to him, no legislative hearing or judicial clarification was carried out to determine whether the constitutional exception applied.
Omo-Agege insisted that the removal process was rushed and lacked proper scrutiny.
He warned that ignoring due process undermines democratic governance and weakens legislative integrity.
The former lawmaker said a voter’s mandate cannot be withdrawn through a hurried voice vote in a single sitting.
He described the decision as unacceptable and inconsistent with democratic principles.
Omo-Agege also referenced a similar past political experience involving his own mandate, saying the judiciary ultimately upheld due process in his case.
He said the current situation should not be allowed to repeat itself in Delta State or anywhere in Nigeria.
The former Deputy Senate President accused the state legislature of acting with undue haste and political bias.
He claimed the speed and unanimity of the decision suggested a predetermined outcome rather than a fair legislative process.
According to him, such actions pose a threat to democratic representation and the rights of constituents in Udu Local Government Area.
Omo-Agege further argued that every elected lawmaker has the right to associate with any political party, subject to constitutional provisions.
He said political persecution should not be disguised as legislative procedure.
He also stated that the people of Udu Constituency have now been left without representation due to the Assembly’s decision.
Omo-Agege called on the Delta State House of Assembly to immediately reverse the declaration and restore the mandate of the affected lawmaker.
He further urged the judiciary to intervene swiftly if the matter is brought before the courts to ensure that justice is served.
The former Senate leader reaffirmed his position that constitutional order must be respected to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy.
The situation has heightened political tension in Delta State, especially within the Udu Constituency, as debates continue over the legality of the Assembly’s decision.
