Patricia Etteh should resign!

[Some criminals have deemed it fit to reference the blog post below in their 419 scam emails. I wish to disassociate myself from such mails. I do not have anything to do with scammers. Do not reply their mails!]

As of today, I am not sympathetic to any political party in Nigeria neither am I against a woman taking-up a leading role in the affairs of Nigeria. Thus, my personal views here should not be seen with any political, ethnic or gender lens. I am saying what any objective, well-meaning Nigerian would say: Patricia Etteh must go! She has lost every moral right to remain the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives.

Her tenure as Speaker of the House has been clouded by controversy – controversy about a 628 million naira contracts scam. She is alleged to have approved the sum of 628 million naira for the renovation of her official residence and that of her deputy, as well as the purchase of 12 official vehicles meant for members of the House of Representatives.

A panel was instituted to investigate the allegations and the panel has since come out with its report. According to Punch newspaper’s website:

The panel had in its report said that due process was not followed by the Speaker and the National Assembly management in the award of the contracts for the renovation of her official residence and that of her deputy, Alhaji Babangida Nguroje.

But the findings of the panel drew different interpretations from the pro and anti-Etteh camps.

It is only right that she steps down while the house debates on the findings of the panel. This has been the contentious issue that has made Members of the House shout themselves hoarse. It would have been okay to me if all they did was shout – some supposedly honourable members actually exchanged blows right inside the chambers of the House! A member shouted [in favour of the Speaker] till he collapsed and later died in the hospital.

I have seen enough of the blow exchanges and shouting in the House (thanks to Channels TV). Patricia Etteh, you have no moral right to remain the Speaker of the House. You must resign!

Patricia Olubunmi Etteh is the representative for Ayedaade/Isokan/Irewole constituency in Osun state. The House of Representatives of Nigeria is the lower house of the country’s bicameral National Assembly. The Senate of Nigeria is the upper house.