EttehGate: Tragedy in The House of Representatives
Written by Jonathan Elendu   
Elendureports

  The member, Aminu Safana (PDP Katsina), chairman of the House Committee on Health, collapsed on the floor of the House during another rowdy session. He was rushed to the National Hospital, Abuja, where he was pronounced dead. 

Aminu Safana was very active on the floor of the House today as he jumped up and down in ecstasy during their rowdy meeting. The pro-Etteh and anti-Etteh groups had engaged each other in a free-for-all fight. The Etteh group led by Dino Malaye (PDP) Kogi and Independence Ogunewe (PDP) Imo engaged the anti group in a hand to hand combat on three different occasions.  

 Speaker Patricia Olubunmi Etteh walked into the House chambers at 10:53 AM. She was prevented from walking to her seat as members of the Integrity Group blocked her path. Independence Ogunewe fought to clear the path of human obstacles. Fighting ensued between the anti and pro groups.  

 The anti Etteh group waved their green white green flags while the pro Etteh group waved white handkerchiefs in the air. The Sergeant-at-Arms and Etteh’s supporters were able to clear the Speaker’s path and she mounted the Chair. However, she was unable to call the House to order as both groups fought, sang, pushed and shoved each other. 

The imbroglio continued even after the late Safana collapsed. Palpable calm came when Abike Dabiri screamed as the news of the death of the late member filtered through the floor of the House. Even at that, Madam Speaker could not speak as she hurried out of the House Chambers under heavy security provided by the Sergeant-at-Arms and her supporters.  

A member of the House of Representatives who does not belong to any of the warring groups in the House told this reporter that Madam Speaker told him that she would never step down. Speaking to reporters outside the House chambers, Mercy Alumona-Isei (PDP) Delta said: “This woman is bad luck. In 4 months we have lost three members. We waited for her group to meet yesterday for four hours but they would not show up. This morning we waited for them again and they still refused to show up.” She declared that the Integrity Group will continue the agitation for Etteh to step down.