Patty Etete, a former member of the House of Representatives, has resigned as senior legislative aide to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, citing hostility, alleged assaults and administrative issues in the Senate president’s office.
In a letter dated February 27 and addressed to the senate president, Mr. Etete said his resignation followed what he described as sustained hostility, alleged physical assaults and administrative issues within the office
Etete represented Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011.
He said he accepted what he described as a downgraded designation in good faith.
“You invited me to be part of your ‘first eleven’ of appointees, given my roles and contributions both at the senatorial election and the contest for the Senate presidency,” he wrote.
He stated that although he was announced as a special assistant, he was later designated as a senior legislative aide, which he considered a downgrade.
He alleged that during his time in office, he was denied access to Senator Akpabio and faced what he described as humiliation and discrimination.
He also claimed he was physically assaulted by fellow aides on several occasions and that some of the incidents occurred with the knowledge of the senate president.
Etete also raised concerns about a symposium on the creative economy which he said he coordinated to support the Senate president’s legislative agenda.
According to him, participants from within and outside Nigeria funded their travel, accommodation and materials with the understanding that they would be reimbursed.
He said more than six months after the event, an interim report had not received attention for legislative action and that service providers engaged for the programme had not been paid.
He asked the senate president to approve payment of attached bills to settle outstanding obligations.
The former aide also said he mobilised over 240 support groups in Akwa Ibom State for Akpabio and President Bola Tinubu but claimed that promises to engage and appreciate the groups were not fulfilled.
In the letter, Etete referred to a vow allegedly made with political associates regarding Akpabio’s ambition before a statue of Mary.
He said the meeting took place at the senate president’s residence in Asokoro, Abuja, which he described as a chapel.
According to him, the vow was that those present would not betray the senate president and that he would not betray them.
When contacted by Premium Times, Eseme Eyiboh, special adviser on media and publicity to the senate president, said he was not aware of Etete’s resignation.
He added that he and Etete had worked together in the office for about three years.
“Hon Patty Etete was my colleague in the House of Representatives and for about three years now, we have both shared mutual trust and respect as colleagues in the office of the President of the Senate. I’m not aware of his resignation as a senior legislative aide in the office,” Mr. Eyiboh said.
Eyiboh said the office of the senate president operates within public service rules and constitutional provisions.
He stated that staff members maintain working relationships within the office and that its operations comply with established guidelines.
“I can attest to the robust and healthy relationship that staff members enjoy within and around the office of the President of the Senate. The office is well-structured and coordinated by experienced personnel, in substantial compliance with public service rules and protocols. Human rights in the office are subsisting within the remit of guaranteed constitutional rights,” he said.
