FREESPIRIT

Women in all generations all over the world have continuously demonstrated that they can compete with their male counterparts in all areas of human endeavor. They have shown courage and discipline in addition to using their natural endowment to influence, gain information and access to certain situations needed to surmount difficulties created by the male dominance in social situations. From the biblical Esther who saved the Jews from an imminent destruction to the present day women who have distinguished themselves in their chosen carriers; though such women of virtues are not many.

In Nigeria, women generally have not performed badly going by the limited opportunity and attention given to them at the helm of affairs; in government and other fields of endeavor. For instance at a time when very few men had the courage to drive a car in Nigeria, late Mrs. Funmilayo Ransom kuti proved to the world that Nigerian and indeed African women can drive. So also did Chioma Ajunwa; the first African female Olympic gold medallist, Mrs. chinyere Nwankpa; first Nigerian female pilot and prof. Grace Alile Williams; the first Nigeria female vice chancellor shook the world. Today we have female Justices, Doctors, Engineers, Army Generals, Mechanics, commercial bus and Okada operators, etc

In the political terrain, Nigerian women are still struggling for recognition unlike their counterparts in Liberia, Philippines and Britain where a woman had sat or is presently occupying the offices of the number one citizen of these nations. However, the impact of the likes of late Mrs. Margaret Ekpo, Hajia Amina Sawaba Gambo and the 'Aba women' cannot be over emphasized. In the present democratic dispensation women have either been appointed ministers and directors general or elected as senators, House of Representatives members at the federal level and Governor, Deputy Governors, House of Assembly members and commissioners at the state level as well as the chairmanship position of some local government councils in the country.

The nomination and subsequent election of Hon. Patricia Olubunmi Etteh as the speaker of the House of Representatives is the highest political office a woman has attained and it chart a new beginning for our women in politics. As the number four citizen of this great nation, huge responsibilities that demand discipline and good conduct are vested on her and Nigerians had expected her to re-enact the magical performance and exemplary. Leadership of the likes of Dora Akinyelu of NAFDAC, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala and Nenadi Usman of the finance ministry and Obiageli Ezekwesili of the Due Process fame. Contrary to these and other expectations Etteh chose to destroy the hard earned integrity of the Nigerian women by indulging in a shady contract deal to renovate the official residence of the speaker and deputy speaker of the House of Reps. which was recently vacated by the former speaker, Hon. Aminu Masari and his deputy Hon. Austin Opara.

Etteh’s claim to have spent the whopping sum of #628m to renovate the building sent wrong signals to many quarters that made it mandatory for a panel to be set up to investigate her claims. The House of Reps. inaugurated a panel headed by Hon. David Idoko. The panel has submitted it’s report which among other things revealed that there was no provision for the renovation in the 2007 budget, the tender was not advertised, arbitrary contract costing and that Etteh had approved the contract and sent to the clerk of the House for implementation before it was debated upon. It further revealed that Etteh’s Aide is a director of the firms that won the contract and the three companies were not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, all these violated due process.

Unfortunately, the embattled speaker had thrown caution to the winds and maintained that the report of the panel did not indict her and still pretend to oversee the affairs of the House instead of resigning honorably. There are insinuations from many quarters that the speaker suspended activities for two weeks to enable those involved in the scam rally round to garner support on how to thwart the panel’s report so that Etteh could continue in office when the House resumes on October 16, she had denied it and said it was for the House to speed up action on the 2008 budget. Though president Umaru Musa Yar ‘Adua set the proper tone when he urged for public hearing of the scandal and subsequent prosecution of those indicted, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) is yet to take a position. It claims it is yet to receive the panel’s report. However, Nigerians have vowed to resist any attempt by the PDP to set aside the Idoko panel's report, this was revealed by Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila of the Action Congress {A C}, who is also a minority leader in the House of Representatives.

Nigerians from all walks of life have called for the removal and subsequent prosecution of Hon. Patricia Etteh, including everyone who is involved in the scandal and call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take action; many have advised her to resign honorably or face impeachment, they argued that Etteh did not only abuse her office by negating due process but she has also lost control of the House as members exchange blows instated of engaging in constructive debates. Her resignation is the only way to redeem what is left of her integrity and the image of the House and to prove that the Yar’Adua led government is committed to pursue Zero tolerance on corruption to restore public confidence in governance. Going by the panel’s report Etteh is believed to have misappropriate about #400m, which is much more than what Sen. Adolphus Wabara, who is currently facing charges on corruption brought against him by the EFCC was alleged to have misappropriated.

The way and manner the speaker of the federal House of Reps had conducted herself has put to question the integrity of the Nigerian women in politics; which will take so much energy to correct in the future. Like Imelda Marcus, former Philippine president who was disgraced out of office following allegation of corruption, embezzlement and gross misconduct. Etteh seem to have chosen the unpopular route.The impact of women goes a long way to suggest that if what a man can be disciplined, courageous, resilience, hardworking and patriotic on one side; a woman can do even better. And if a man can be corrupt, insensitive, adamant and unpatriotic on the other side; a woman can do even worse. However, Nigerians are expecting dividends of democracy from those who manage their resources as they watch their leaders with keen interest. It is believed that the earlier those in authority understand this the better for them towards a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.