House of Reps rooting for Etteh’s removal

The House of Representatives members rooting for the removal of t Mrs. Patricia Etteh, the Honourable Speaker, has warned that the 2008 Appropriation Bill may be stalled unless Etteh stepped down from office following her indictment in the controversial N529 million renovation contract.

The group is of the view that Mrs. Etteh has lost respect among her colleagues as well as the moral right to preside over the affairs of the House on the strength of the damning conclusions of the committee over the contracts award.

On Sunday in Abuja, while speaking in an interview with newsmen, one of the leading members of the Integrity Group and Chairman, Air Force Committee of the House, Hon. John Halims Agoda, said the Speaker must step down following her indictment.

Mr Agoda argued that “if their finding showed that due process was followed, honestly, that would have been the end of the matter.
These distinguished Nigerians (committee members) said, among others, that the contract sum was inflated because the necessary procedures such as the bill of quantities, structural designs required that will lead to the actual estimation of cost were not done.

The Integrity Group arrowhead, therefore, warned that members of the legislature would not hesitate to concede the position of the Speaker to their colleagues from the South-East if South-West members heeded the advice of their leaders not to accept Mrs. Etteh’s removal.
If the South-West fails to listen to the sensitive nature of this crisis, and in spite of the indictment that has been pronounced on their daughter by the panel she set up, then it shows that they are not serious because Etteh does not have our respect anymore. A leader earns respect. You cannot force it.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement signed by its secretary, Blessing Lewis, the Integrity Group condemned the attempt by the Speaker’s office to deny her indictment by the investigation committee.
According to the group, the statement of denial issued by the Speaker’s office provides a glimpse into the psychology and a mind-set of Madam Speaker.

 The statement added that “the report of the Ad-Hoc Committee has clearly and loudly passed a verdict of guilt on Madam Speaker over the contract scam. With the findings of the Committee, even without specifically employing the word ‘indicted’ against her, Madam Speaker would have found it imperative to resign her position and allow the House forge ahead and face the task of re-constructing its image post-Etteh.