Rep. Member Dies As Etteh Refuses To Step Down

Dr. Aminu Safana

A Member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Aminu Safana, who slumped in the rage over the debate of the N628 Million contract report, has been confirmed dead.

Dr. Safana, a Medical doctor by training, epidemiology and public health specialist; Planned and convened the first National Conference on HIV/AIDS in 1998; Chaired the joint committee on the promulgation of the National HIV/AIDS control bill; was Former HIV/AIDS coordinator in Katsina State; and Former Permanent Secretary of Health; Former Secretary to Katsina State Govt.

A staunch supporter of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Safana is said to be one of the members against the removal of Ms. Patricia Etteh as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. 

His remains were later taken to Katsina for burial.

Authorities of the National Hospital said he died of cardiac arrest.

The deceased, a medical doctor, had during the almost two-hour rowdy session climbed a table and frolicked excitedly with a white handkerchief, in an apparent bid to outwit the anti-Etteh legislators.

He was said to have sufferred exhaustion and was first taken to the National Assembly Clinic for a first aid treatment.

The news of Safana’s death caused a stir that led to the dispersal of some legislators that gathered around the Speaker.

Other members retreated to the centre of the chamber in small clusters and discussed angrily his sudden death.

As silence fell on the chamber , Etteh hit the gavel to announce the adjournment of the House around 1.27pm.

Safana, born in 1961, had eight children. He was first elected into the House in 1999.

He obtained his first degree in Medicine from Ahmadu Bello University , Zaria, and later attended Leeds University and the University of London , United Kingdom for his postgraduate medical training.

He contested for the speakership with his kinsman, Alhaji Aminu Masari, and later became the Chairman, House Committee on Health from 2003 to 2007.

Safana was one of the House committee chairmen under Masari that retained their portfolios when Etteh assumed the leadership.

Besides, Safana was a reputed public health consultant.

A glance at The Lawmakers, a directory containing bio-data of legislators in the last legislative tenure, showed that Safana’s legislative interest was on ‘improved economy and income generation activities.’

Tall and handsome, Safana was one of the most highly regarded lawmakers.

Unconfirmed reports claimed that another member, Ahmed Wadada, was also rushed to the National Assembly Clinic, following the crisis in the House. He was said to have fallen down out of exhaustion.

It was learnt that he was later taken to another hospital in Abuja for treatment.

Before Etteh walked into the chamber around 10.55 am, the atmosphere had been charged with members clustering in small groups to consult and sign signatures.

The usual shout of Madam Speaker, which heralded her arrival, was not heard as the bedlam had started.

Etteh was held hostage for about three minutes by some lawmakers as she moved towards her chair.

The legislators who blocked her way felt that she ought not to preside over the session to consider the David Idoko panel report on the N628m contracts scandal involving her and the Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Babangida Nguroje.

As she relaxed, some lawmakers, who were close to the head table shoved one another and engaged in fisticuffs.

Sensing danger, Etteh’s supporters and members of staff of the Sergeant-At-Arms, led by Col. Emeka Okere, formed a protective cordon around her.

A lady lawmaker, whose identity could not be ascertained , climbed the table and the enclosure to the Speaker’s seat to join pro-Etteh group.

At this point, a deafening chorus of ‘Etteh must go,’ rent the air. This was countered by, ‘Etteh must stay,’ by her supporters.

At about 11.09 am, a melee broke out at the square, where the Speaker was seated. A female member, Mrs. Mercy Almona-Isie, was pushed down.

Brandishing the national flag, the anti-Etteh lawmakers sang the national anthem at about 11.14 am, amid boos from their opponents.

When the national anthem was sung again, the Etteh supporters, shouted, ‘coup plotters.’

This elicited shouts of ‘ole, ole’ from the anti-Etteh lawmakers.

The two sides showed signs of weariness at about 11.44 am as the jeers began to wane. But this was momentary as hostilities resumed.

By 12.20pm, Mr. Emmanuel Jimeh was caught in the web of a fray inside the Speaker’s box.

While the cacophony lasted, a lawmaker put on the radio in his GSM handset and used his micro-phone to amplify songs that lasted for about 20 minutes.