Senator Oluremi Tinubu
Senator Oluremi Tinubu

Senator Oluremi Tinubu has formally complained to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress and the Senate over the threats she allegedly received from her colleague, Senator Dino Melaye during the Executive Session of the Senate on July 12. Her complaint came in the form  of two separate letters she addressed to the APC and the Senate.

In her letter to the APC, Tinubu who represents Lagos Central wrote: “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.

“Senator Melaye threatened to beat me on the floor of the Senate simply because I dared to express an opinion different from his. I am both a ranking senator and a woman.

“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 those criminal threats.

“Compounding the damage inflicted by Senator Melaye is the fact that we are both of APC. Thus, I am compelled to report this incident. It also gives me great concern that the Senate leadership has heretofore been silent on this matter as if condoning the errant behaviour of the senator.

Oluremi Tinubu described Melaye’s conduct as “an affront to the Senate, this government and to our party.” She said: “For a party member to so antagonise and attack 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.” She explained that she was writing to the party in the hope that it would act to appropriately sanction Senator Melaye for his “malign behaviour.” She further stated : “In this way, the party will affirm its policy of zero tolerance for gender discrimination and to restore its reputation as a vehicle of positive change and not as an arm of regression and intolerance towards women.”

She went on to narrate what she claimed to be what actually happened on July 12:

“During the 12 July Executive Session, I was duly recognised to speak by the Senate President after Senator Dino Melaye had spoken and berated some Senate colleagues for their perceived roles in the judicial case involving the Senate leadership.

“Although I remained silent and attempted no interjection during his statement, Senator Melaye tried to abridge my rights as a Senator by hectoring at me and interrupting my contribution.

“At one point, I cautioned him about the use of his language and the threats made, reminding him that other senators were there by equal right as he and represented their constituents.

“In a burst of apparent rage, Senator Melaye charged at me in what can only be seen as effort to physically attack me.

“The attack was only prevented by some respectful senators, who moved to impede his path or otherwise block him from approaching closer to me. I thank those senators for their personal courage and sense of decorum.

In her letter to the Senate leadership, Mrs Tinubu regretted that a week had passed since the incident but no reaction had come from it. She wrote in a firm tone:

“This serious transgression of legislative behaviour is not allowed to pass. I formally submit for the record that l object to the reckless misconduct of Melaye during the July 12 Executive Session.

“What he did was completely unjustifiable and contrary to the established customs and norms that govern the behaviour of members of this body.

“For merely voicing my opinion on the floor of the Senate, which is the fundamental right and duty of every Senator, I was verbally abused and threatened by Senator Dino Melaye.

“He did not stop there; he used blatantly sexist and misogynistic language offensive to every woman in Nigeria and offensive to every person who truly believes that gender discrimination has no place in the Nigeria we are trying to build for ourselves and all future generations.

“ln summation, unless Melaye is appropriately disciplined, he remains a danger to me and to the Senate at large. He has promised twice within one week to attack me.

“In an attempt to preserve the dignity of the Senate, I have refrained from saying anything in public outside of the Executive Chamber about this incident.

“However, Melaye has become unmoored and has since paraded his misconduct in public as if to threaten a female senator is a badge of pride. lt is a sad day for Nigeria if such misconduct is to be condoned and smiled upon.”