The Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, has criticized the Delta State House of Assembly, led by the All Progressive Congress, APC, for declaring vacant the seat of Honourable Collins Egbetanah, who represents Udu Constituency.

Additionally, the House also labeled the lawmaker a persona non grata due to his defection from the APC to the NDC.

The NDC condemned the.Assembly’s action as politically abhorrent and unacceptable, characterizing it as an instance of vindictive politics and selective justice being enacted by the Delta State House of Assembly.

Honourable Egbetanah was elected on the APC platform and served as a minority member of the House until the Governor of Delta State and several members of the Assembly defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to join him in the APC.

However, those who switched allegiance as loyalists of the governor began to perceive Honourable Egbetanah as a threat, given his status as an original APC member and his steadfast loyalty to the former Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege.

As a result, the Delta State House of Assembly has withheld Honourable Egbetanah’s salaries and entitlements for several months.

“We, at the NDC, consider this action to be politically abhorrent and unacceptable. The process by which his seat was declared vacant is unconstitutional and infringes upon Egbetanah’s rights to free assembly and association,” stated a release signed by Osa Director Esq, the National Publicity Secretary of the NDC.

“We are calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reject this act of illegality and political intimidation 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 cannot be abridged by any form of legislative rascality.”

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudiness and thunderstorms across the country from Monday to Wednesday.

‎NiMet’s weather outlook released in Abuja envisages sunny skies with patches of clouds over the northern region on Monday, with chances of thunderstorms accompanied by light rain over parts of Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Kebbi, and Kaduna States during the morning hours.

‎”By the afternoon and evening hours, thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over parts of Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Adamawa and Taraba States.

‎”For the North Central region, thunderstorms accompanied by light rains are expected over parts of Plateau, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, ‎Kwara, Kogi and the Federal Capital Territory during the morning hours.‎

‎”By afternoon and evening hours, thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over parts of Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Niger, Kwara, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory,” the agency said.

‎‎According to NiNet, moderate rains are expected over parts of Ogun, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Abia and Lagos states during the morning hours, while moderate rains are anticipated over the entire southern region later in the day.

‎‎NiMet predicted thunderstorms accompanied by light rains over parts of Zamfara, Sokoto, Taraba, Kebbi and Katsina States of the northern region during Tuesday morning hours.

The agency anticipates thunderstorms later in the afternoon or evening hours over the region.

‎‎It predicted moderate rains over parts of Borno, Jigawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Taraba and Adamawa states.

‎‎According to NiMet, thunderstorms accompanied by light rains are expected over Niger and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during the morning hours of the North Central region.

‎‎It anticipates thunderstorms with moderate rains across the region later in the day.

‎‎NiMet forecast intermittent rains over parts of Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Lagos and Ogun states of the southern region during the morning hours.

‎‎The agency forecast moderate rain across the entire region later in the day.

‎‎According to NiMet, partly cloudy skies are anticipated over the northern region with chances of thunderstorms accompanied by light rains over parts of Taraba and Kaduna states during the morning hours on Wednesday.

‎‎It predicted thunderstorms with moderate rains over parts of Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Adamawa and Taraba states later in the day.

‎”For the North Central region, sunny skies with patches of clouds are anticipated over the north central region, with chances of thunderstorms accompanied by light rains over parts of Plateau and Benue states during the morning hours.

‎‎”Later during the afternoon or evening hours, thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated across the region,” it said.

‎‎The agency envisages a cloudy atmosphere over the southern region with prospects of light rains over parts of Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Lagos states during the morning hours.

‎‎It predicted thunderstorms with moderate rains over parts of Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Rivers, Bayelsa, Edo, Delta, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Lagos and Ogun states later in the day.

‎‎The agency said, ”Strong winds may precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur. The public should take adequate precautions and ensure that loose objects are fastened to avoid collision.  Driving in heavy rain should be avoided.

‎‎”Disconnect electrical appliances from electrical sockets. Stay away from tall trees to avoid impact from falling branches and broken trees. Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

‎”Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website www.nimet.gov.ng.” 

 (NAN)