A former Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Patricia Ette has blasted the newly elected National Chairman
of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus for mentioning her
name during his acceptance speech on Sunday.
Secondus began his speech by
recognizing some past political office holders who were once members of the
PDP.
He had said, “Your Excellencies,
The former President of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR.
“Your Excellency the former Vice
Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Nnamdi Sambo
“Your Excellencies the former
Senate Presidents, Anyim Pius Anyim and David Mark
“His Excellency the Deputy Senate
President Ike Ekweremadu
“Your Excellencies the former
Speakers of the House of Representatives Demji Bankole and Patricia Ette.”
Angered by the acknowledgment,
Mrs. Ette, who is now a Board of Trustee, BoT, member of the ruling All
Progressives Congress, APC, wondered why her name should be mentioned even she
was not in the gathering.
In a statement she personally
signed and made available to reporters in Abuja, Ette said, “I, Rt. Hon.
Patricia Olubunmi Etteh, hereby issue a disclaimer with respect to the mention
of my name in victory speech of the newly elected National Chairman of the
Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, as follows;
1. That I am unequivocally not a
member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP);
2. That I was not in attendance
at PDP’s national convention of Saturday, December 9, 2017;
3. Owing from (1) and (2) above,
I do not consent to the mention of my name in such a political gathering;
4. That I am a card-carrying
member and member of the Board of Trustees (BOT), the apex Committee of the All
Progressives Congress (APC).
“Unfortunately, this can only
happen in Nigeria, where people use other peoples’ name to shine and gain
credence.
“I’m disappointed in the play of
shenanigans in the political climate of Nigeria; why I, Rt. Hon. Patricia
Olubunmi Etteh, can be forgotten so soon, having achieved this much politically
in the midst of men, being the first and still the only Female Speaker of the
House of Representatives.
“Let me sound it loud and clear,
that history cannot be changed, as I have paid my dues in the service of this
nation, and I refuse to be celebrated after death, as against being celebrated
while alive. If the right people fail to recognize my service to the nation, my
God will fight for me.
“In conclusion, I hereby state
that no party should take my humility and gender for granted, believing that I
cannot move if I feel like. I am an ardent advocate for good governance, and if
I deem it that the running of affairs of a certain political party is not in
the best interest of the citizens of Nigeria, I will not hesitate to make my
move. The intendment of this statement is not to please any political party or
association, but to set the records straight.”
What is honourable in Patricia Etteh? Politicians in this country will never cease to amaze me.The leaves on which she sat yestarday has not dried up.
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