Cablegate: Speaker Etteh Resigns

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PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHUJA #2300 3031644
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 301644Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1327
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 8178
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS ABUJA 002300

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STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA
DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM NI
SUBJECT: SPEAKER ETTEH RESIGNS

REF: ABUJA 2295 AND PREVIOUS

Patricia Etteh (PDP, Osun State) resigned today from her
position as Speaker of the House of Representatives after the
House selected her opponent, Representative Terngu Tsegba
(PDP, Benue State), to preside over the debate on corruption
accusations against her. The Deputy Speaker, Representative
Babangida Nguroje (PDP, Taraba State) also stepped down.
Both Etteh and Nguroje have been under investigation for
allegedly breaching House rules and awarding contracts worth
$5 million for the renovation of their official residences
and the purchase of vehicles (reftel). A House of
Representatives staffer told Poloff that Representative
Tsegba will preside over the election of a new permanent

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Speaker tomorrow when the House reconvenes. The position is
"zoned" to the Southwest, so the new Speaker is expected be a
Yoruba.
PIASCIK

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