Omo-Agege Condemns Removal of Udu Lawmaker, Demands Reversal of Assembly’s Decision

Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has criticised the Delta State House of Assembly over its decision to declare the seat of Udu State Constituency lawmaker, Hon. Collins Egbetamah, vacant, describing the action as unconstitutional and politically motivated.

In a statement personally signed on Wednesday, the Obarisi of Urhoboland argued that the Assembly acted hastily and denied the lawmaker his constitutional right to a fair hearing before declaring his seat vacant.

According to Omo-Agege, the decision was “hasty, arbitrary, oppressive and illegal,” insisting that it was driven more by politics than by constitutional provisions.

He challenged the Assembly’s reliance on Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, arguing that the provision contains exceptions, particularly in cases where a defection results from divisions within a political party.

Omo-Agege maintained that the House failed to examine whether such an exception applied in Egbetamah’s case, noting that there was neither a legislative hearing nor a judicial determination before the declaration was made.

“A mandate freely given by the people of Udu cannot be extinguished in a single sitting by voice vote,” he said, adding that due process and the constitutional right to a fair hearing must be respected before any elected lawmaker loses his seat.

Drawing from his own political experience, the former Senate Deputy President recalled that a similar attempt was once made to remove him from office but was overturned by the courts, stressing that the judiciary remains the ultimate guardian of constitutional rights.

Omo-Agege further alleged that the speed and unanimity with which the Assembly acted suggested a deliberate attempt to discourage political defections, warning that such measures undermine democracy and deny constituents their elected representation.

He argued that the people of Udu are now without representation because of what he described as an unjustified action against Egbetamah, whom he said had endured years of political persecution for belonging to the opposition APC.

The former senator called on the Delta State House of Assembly to reverse its decision and accord Egbetamah a fair hearing. He also urged the judiciary to act swiftly if the matter is brought before the courts to ensure that Udu State Constituency is not left without representation.