Posted by By JAMES OJO, Abuja on
The confusion and lawlessness reigning in the House of Representatives claimed its first casaulty on Wednesday with the death of a member representing Batsari/ Danmusa/Safana Federal constituency of Katsina State , Dr Aminu Safana.
The confusion and lawlessness reigning in the House of Representatives claimed its first casaulty on Wednesday with the death of a member representing Batsari/ Danmusa/Safana Federal constituency of Katsina State , Dr Aminu Safana.
Safana, the chairman of committee on Health and one of the strong backers of embattled Speaker, Mrs Patricia Olubunmi Etteh, slumped in the chamber of the House and died at the National Hospital Abuja, where he was rushed to.
Etteh's entrance into the chamber had ignited confusion as members that positioned themselves along the pathway to the podium tried to block her, while members loyal to her responded by pushing anybody on the way.
The late lawmaker was feared to have been hit by serial punches thrown by aggrieved members in the ensuing melee, as he was leading the Speaker into the chamber. House Leader, Tunde Akogun, the last member to speak with the late Safana, said he complained of tiredness and and was about going to the rest room, when he slumped. He was rushed to the lobby where medical officers from the National Assembly clinic examined him and found that his blood pressure had shot up. He was immediately rushed to the National Hospital, where the battle to save his life by doctors ended in vain.
Assisted by staff of the Sergeant-at Arms carrying the mace, the Speaker was led onto the podium to take her seat, while attempts made by Hon Independence Ogunewe, KGB Oguakwa, Alumona-Isei and Emmanuel Jime to forcefully remove her from the seat was rebuffed.
The Speaker, who sat bemused watching her opponents and loyalists singing and waving handkerchiefs and flags, made occasional consultations with her deputy, Babangida Nguroje and other principal officers until the sad news of Safana's death filtered into the chamber.
The Speaker had rushed to the National Hospital to confirm the death of Safana, accompanied by other leaders of the House and several members. She was received by the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Segun Ajunwon, who confirmed that the lawmaker died 30 minutes after he was brought into the emergency unit of the hospital, where doctors battled to save his life.
Before the confirmation of the bad news, some members had collected signatures calling on the Speaker to resign.
Born in Safana village, the deceased was elected into the House of Representatives in 2003. He had earlier served as Secretary to the Government of Katsina State under the administration of Alhaji Musa Umaru Yar'Adua.
Trained as a medical doctor in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, University of Dublin and University of London, he was the chairman of the Health Committee of the House.
He is survived by an aged mother and nine children.