ABUJA—Tears flowed freely yesterday as members of the House of Representatives held the last session of the sixth National Assembly.
Some of them were very emotional in their speeches and stopped midway as they could not complete their speeches.
Most of the legislators will not be coming back and were therefore bidding themselves farewell.
At its last sitting yesterday, the House tendered an unreserved apology and lifted all forms of indictments that led to the removal of Mrs. Patricia Etteh as Speaker in October 2007.
The former Speaker, in an emotion-laden voice, in her valedictory speech which lasted 13 minutes, had insisted that she was at no time found wanting during her few months in office but described her removal as political.
She drew attention of her colleagues to how her name and legacy as public servant had been rubbished due to corruption charges levelled against her, urging her colleagues to pass a resolution that would vacate whatever indictment and clear her good name.
END OF AN ERA: Speaker Dimeji Bankole (8th from right) and members of the House of Representatives after the 6th Session of the National Assembly ended in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.
Immediately the motion for her removal was moved by Ita Enang, Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, members unanimously adopted and passed it; setting the record as the last motion of the session.
Enang had said that there was no record in the House that indicted on the allegation of financial practices against the Osun State-born lawmaker and her Deputy, Babangida Igoroje before their eventual removal.
Etteh and Igoroje were removed from office in 2007 over allegations of appropriation of the sum of N628 million meant for renovation and furnishing of their official residences without the chamber’s approval.
Hon. Farouk Lawan, now a fourth-timer had then spear-headed a movement called the Integrity Group to coerce Etteh and made her step down from office following a report that indicted her.
The ad-hoc committee to investigate her was led by David Idoko where majority of members applauded her removal even though it had not finished work.
Elated Etteh however rendered two praise worship songs to God indicating that she was the happiest person of the day shortly after Nnena Ukeje seconded the motion.
To Etteh it was a joy noise worth rendering to clear her name from the smear the House used in rubbishing her impeccable record
Some of them were very emotional in their speeches and stopped midway as they could not complete their speeches.
Most of the legislators will not be coming back and were therefore bidding themselves farewell.
At its last sitting yesterday, the House tendered an unreserved apology and lifted all forms of indictments that led to the removal of Mrs. Patricia Etteh as Speaker in October 2007.
The former Speaker, in an emotion-laden voice, in her valedictory speech which lasted 13 minutes, had insisted that she was at no time found wanting during her few months in office but described her removal as political.
She drew attention of her colleagues to how her name and legacy as public servant had been rubbished due to corruption charges levelled against her, urging her colleagues to pass a resolution that would vacate whatever indictment and clear her good name.
END OF AN ERA: Speaker Dimeji Bankole (8th from right) and members of the House of Representatives after the 6th Session of the National Assembly ended in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.
Immediately the motion for her removal was moved by Ita Enang, Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, members unanimously adopted and passed it; setting the record as the last motion of the session.
Enang had said that there was no record in the House that indicted on the allegation of financial practices against the Osun State-born lawmaker and her Deputy, Babangida Igoroje before their eventual removal.
Etteh and Igoroje were removed from office in 2007 over allegations of appropriation of the sum of N628 million meant for renovation and furnishing of their official residences without the chamber’s approval.
Hon. Farouk Lawan, now a fourth-timer had then spear-headed a movement called the Integrity Group to coerce Etteh and made her step down from office following a report that indicted her.
The ad-hoc committee to investigate her was led by David Idoko where majority of members applauded her removal even though it had not finished work.
Elated Etteh however rendered two praise worship songs to God indicating that she was the happiest person of the day shortly after Nnena Ukeje seconded the motion.
To Etteh it was a joy noise worth rendering to clear her name from the smear the House used in rubbishing her impeccable record
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