Patricia Etteh

Personal life and education

Patricia Olubunmi Foluke Etteh, a Yoruba, was born on 17 August 1953. She was trained as a hairdresser and beauty therapist, but she also earned a law degree from the University of Buckingham in the United Kingdom and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2016.

Political career

Etteh represented the Ayedaade/Isokan/Irewole constituency in Osun State. and she has been the only woman to have held this position in the Nigerian government.

Corruption scandal

In September 2007, she faced a committee of MPs over accusations that she had authorised the spending of 628 million Naira (about US$5 million) on renovations of her official residence and that of her deputy, and the purchase of 12 official cars meant for the House of Representatives. Accusations of theft were chanted at her as she tried to speak in the House, and she was escorted out by the security men as the situation degenerated into a commotion.

The PDP officially continued to back Etteh, although some members, such as Isyaku Ibrahim, criticised this stance. Author and academic, Wole Soyinka, was among those, who called for her resignation, while the former president and PDP member, Olusegun Obasanjo, continued to support her. On 30 October, following weeks of pressure, Etteh resigned her position as speaker. Her deputy, Babangida Nguroje, also resigned. However at the last seating of the 6th session House of Representatives, it was agreed that "There is no record or proceedings of the House, where Patricia Olubunmi Etteh was ever indicted."

Personal life

Etteh is married to engineer Etteh, an Akwa Ibom man. The couple has two children.

References

References

1. (15 August 2007). "Etteh moves birthday party to US". [[Nigerian Tribune]].
2. Bamidele, Yemi. (19 September 2007). "Adedibu – 'Etteh is Yorubas' Only Hope'". Daily Trust.
3. "Honourable Patricia Etteh". [[National Assembly of Nigeria]].
4. Odili, Paul. (26 September 2007). "Why Etteh should stand down". [[Vanguard (Nigeria).
5. Nnochiri, Ikechukwu. (30 November 2016). "Former House of Reps Speaker, Patricia Etteh, among 4,225 new lawyers". Vanguard.
6. "Homepage". [[The Nation (Nigeria).
7. (6 June 2007). "Mark, Etteh, emerge Senate President, Speaker". [[Independent Nigeria.
8. (20 September 2007). "Nigerian MPs brawl over speaker". [[BBC]].
9. Izang, Atang. (7 October 2007). "Etteh – PDP Endorsed Corruption – Isyaku Ibrahim". [[Leadership (newspaper).
10. Ekenn, Geoffreya. (5 October 2007). "Resign, Soyinka tells Etteh". [[The Punch]].
11. Nyam, Philip. "Etteh: Countdown To 16 October". Leadership.
12. (30 October 2007). "Nigeria's parliamentary speaker quits over corruption scandal". International Herald Tribune.
13. (30 October 2007). "Nigeria speaker goes in graft row".
14. Usigbe, Leon. (28 August 2007). "Nigeria: Who is Mrs Patricia Olubunmi Etteh?". Vanguard.