Oluremi Tinubu, the senator representing Lagos central at
the national assembly, on Tuesday petitioned John Oyegun national chairman of
the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Bukola Saraki, the senate president,
over recent acts of “gross misconduct” by Dino Melaye, the senator representing
Kogi west.
In the letters, dated July 18, Tinubu explained that she was
complaining to the leadership of the APC and senate about Melaye’s conduct at
last Tuesday’s closed-door session, which she termed “improper” and “harmful”.
“What took place at that session was nothing short of a
threat of physical assault and abuse against me by senator Melaye,” she said.
“As such, it was an affront to the senate, this government
and our party. For a party member to so antagonise and hector another APC
member in this fashion places the party in disrepute and undermines the unity
needed to accomplish the sober task of reforming Nigeria for the better.” The senator said she hoped that the party would
appropriately sanction Melaye for his “malignant” behaviour.
She said on that basis, the party would affirm its policy of
zero tolerance for gender discrimination and restore its reputation as the
vehicle of change.
Giving her own side to the story, Tinubu explained that she
was recognised to speak after Melaye had “berated” some senators over their
perceived roles in the judicial case involving the senate leadership. “I remained and attempted no interjection during the
statement; senator Melaye tried to abridge my rights by hectoring at me and
interrupting my contribution,” she said. “I have cautioned him about the use of his language and the
threats made, reminding him that we were there by equal rights as we both represented
our constituents.” She said Melaye charged at her in an effort to “physically”
attack her.
“The attack was only prevented by some respectful senators
who moved to impede his path or otherwise block him from approaching me,” she
added.
“Senator Melaye hurled foul and vulgar language at me; what
he said should never be heard in any public institution let alone the floor of
the senate. “I am both a ranking senator and a woman, but senator Melaye
took neither into consideration as he issued threats of rape and assault, while
boasting that he would face no consequence even if he fulfilled these criminal
threats.”
She said it is of great concern that the senate leadership
has been silent on the a matter as if it is condoning the “errant behaviour” of
the senator.
Tinubu said the party must ensure that its members know how
to behave according to decorum, befitting their elected positions.
Tinubu’s letters come one day after she wrote a letter to
Ibrahim Idris, acting inspector-general of police, requesting police protection
from Melaye, whom she described as a “threat to my life”.
“During the proceedings of the senate on Tuesday, July 14
2016, I had cause to contribute to a matter of national importance,” she had
said in that letter. “Apparently dissatisfied with my contributions, Senator Dino
Melaye threw caution to the winds, resorted to vulgar abuse of my person and
wanted to assault me. “It was the timely intervention of a number of colleagues
which prevented Senator Melaye from unleashing physical attack on me. However,
as the leadership of the senate did not call him to order in the circumstance,
he proceeded to threaten my life without any provocation whatsoever.
“In view of Senator Melaye’s antecedent, particularly in the
House of Representatives, where a brawl led by him had led to the untimely
death of a member, I have decided not to ignore his threat to my life.
Therefore, I’m compelled to urge you to use your good offices to provide me
with adequate security.”
Hours before sending that letter to the IGP, women under the
aegis of Concern Group had staged a peaceful protest to the office of Akinwunmi
Ambode, governor of Lagos state, in protest of Melaye’s actions.
They wielded placards with inscriptions such as: ‘Melaye,
Senate is not Your Father’s House’, ‘Dino, Leave Tinubu alone’, ‘We Say No to
Violence Against Women’, ‘Women folk Stand Up Against Dino’.
Anike Adekanye, leader of the group, delivered a protest
letter to the governor “for onward transmission” to President Muhammadu Buhari,
and asked Melaye to “tender unreserved public apology to the hallowed chamber
of the Senate and more importantly to the person of Senator Oluremi Tinubu and
the entire Nigerians which he has brought into great disrepute”.
However, Melaye, the man at the centre of all the heat, has
vowed never to apologise to Tinubu.
During an executive session on Tuesday, the senate had urged
Melaye to apologise to herin the spirit camaraderie, but he refused to do so
saying, “great minds don’t dwell on issues; they act and move on”.
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