FRACAS AS ETTEH REFUSES TO STEP DOWN
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| Patricia Etteh |
The resumed sitting of the Nigeria House of Representatives was short lived on tuesday, as the refusal of Speker Olubunmi Etteh, to step down, brought the House down.
Etteh was indicted along the Deputy Speaker, and some officials of the National Assembly, by the Idoko panel set up by the House ledership to probe the award of contracts to renovate the residences of the speaker and her deputy, and also purchase twelve luxury cars for the duo.
The anti-Etteh group had vowed to frustrate attempts by the Speaker to preside while the House considered the Idoko that indicted her.
The rowdy session, which featured verbal and physical abuses by the pro and anti Etteh group on the floor, set the stage for a more volcanic session when the House resumes wednesday.
Despite calls by Nigerians at home and abroad for her to step aside while the House debated the Idoko report which probed the N628 million contract, the adamant Etteh refused and tried in vain to call the shots.
The speaker who sat as judge over case, tried to no avail, with several shouts of 'order', 'order', and banging of the gavel, to bring order to the charged atmosphere.
The session which lasted for about two hours, saw both camps, led by Dino Melaye, and Halims Agoda, verbally, attacking each other.
It was gathered that trouble started when minority leader, Aliyu Ndume rudely interupted the speaker when she tried to start the busines of the day.
Ndume insisted that the embattled speaker must give way while the House considers the report of the panel.
Ndume's position infuriated the Etteh loyalists, who flew into a rage.
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While both caps went for each others jugular, Etteh continued banging the gavel and calling for order. But she was ignored.
In a bid to save her boss from further embarassment, majority leader, Tunde Akogun, called for adjourment till wednesday.
However, without waiting traditionally for the minority leader to second the motion, Etteh hurriedly adjourned.
When she realised that the game was up, she tried to beat a retreat, but returned when it looked liked , the mace was about to be removed by her opponents.
After she was spirited out by guards and loyalists, her opponents led by Agoda, and Fruk Lawan, waving Nigerian flags, celebrated outside the chambers.
According to them, the refusal to allow Etteh preside was a victory for them and for Nigerians.