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Etteh should expunge Etteh from her name. She will only return to Ikire (home) and not Calabar

God will reveal the truth, says Etteh’s mum
By Tunde Odesola, Osogbo
Published: Thursday, 1 Nov 2007
Madam Atoke Alabi, mother of the humiliated former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Patricia Etteh, on Wednesday said that God would reveal the truth on the N628m contracts scandal that led to the resignation of her daughter on Tuesday.

Sounding philosophical as she spoke with our correspondent at her Ikire home in Osun State, Alabi added that Etteh’s resignation was an act of God.

She said the family was unruffled by her daughter’s loss of the exalted position because Etteh was not born a Speaker.

“When I had her pregnancy, I never knew she could ever become Speaker. She was not given birth to as a Speaker. Let Nigerians choose anyone they want. God will reveal the truth,” Alabi added.

The former Speaker, according to her, cannot force herself on the nation if her colleagues in the House did not want her to remain in office.

Alabi said she is happy because her daughter has a good name, which is “better than silver and gold.”

She also disclosed that Etteh called to inform her about her decision to resign.

“I’m expecting her in Ikire. She went to Abuja from Ikire. Will she not return home because of her predicament? I’m expecting her in Jesus’ name,” Alabi said.
Regretting the death of a member of the House, Dr. Aminu Safana, Alabi said no matter what anyone does, the will of God will always prevail.

“Did his death ensure that she retain the post after all? We, human beings, just struggle, God knows best. God will take anything that will hurt you away from you even if you pray and pray,” she said.

Asked if she would ask Etteh to leave politics, Alabi said, “She’s not a baby. She’s a mother. Whatever decision she takes about her political career is okay.”

On why her household remained unruffled despite Etteh’s plight, Alabi said there was no reason to fret because life does not worth any hassles.

Alabi had in an exclusive interview with our correspondent on October 1, said that God would save Etteh.

“God made her Speaker. If God sees that she will come to harm by being a Speaker, they should take the position from her. But God chose her and God will expose (real) the truth. I pray that no member of the House comes to harm,” she said.

The resignation of Etteh has, however, polarised her kinsmen.

A candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ikire, Mr. Sarafadeen Akinpelu, and a party member, Mrs. Florence Adedeji, described the resignation of Etteh as saddening.

Adedeji, who said she was a classmate of Etteh at Ayedaade Grammar School, Ikire, called her a lovable personality.

But a chieftain of the Action Congress Alhaji Muritala Falana, said her resignation was democracy in motion.

Falana added that Etteh was a disgrace to Ikire.