It’s true, I threatened, abused Tinubu – Melaye

At last, embattled Senator Dino Melaye of the All Progressives Congress, representing Kogi west, has confirmed that he threatened and abused Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the senator representing Lagos central, during the senate’s closed-door session on Tuesday.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that Melaye, however, denied using some of the words reported by the media.

Senators at the session told the online medium on Wednesday that Melaye verbally assaulted Tinubu, and used offensive words against her.

A source quoted Melaye as saying, “Look this is not Bourdillon (referring to the famous Lagos residence of Mrs. Tinubu’s politician husband). I will beat you up, ….. impregnate you and nothing will happen.”

But addressing a press conference Thursday, Senator Melaye said he never spoke about impregnating Senator Tinubu, whom he said had reached menopause.

He said he did not use “insolent, abusive, degrading and mannerless language against any Senator”.

“How could I have said I would beat and impregnate her at the same time?” Melaye asked.

Melaye, however, admitted using harsh words, but did not say what they were.

He said he reacted furiously because he was provoked.

“I did it because I am not a coward,” said Melaye, a former member of the House of Representatives, who frequently demonstrated unruly conduct during sittings.

Giving details of Tuesday’s altercation, sources said trouble started when Melaye urged the Senate to descend heavily on members who had offered to serve as prosecution witnesses in the ongoing forgery case against Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.

The Kogi senator is said to have accused the senators of being used by the presidency to destabilise the Senate and warned them to be ready to face the consequences of their action.

“You should go and tell those who sent you that nobody, I said nobody, no matter who he is, can ever control this Senate,” Melaye was quoted as saying as he pointed at the affected senators, his face contorted in rage.

Sources said Tinubu, wife of former Lagos Governor Bola Tinubu, later addressed the senate, saying: “I’m just wondering why whenever Senator Dino speaks in this chamber, he is always threatening people and behaving childishly and at times like a thug.

“I think he needs to know that every senator here represents their constituencies. And that there is no need to threaten anyone.

“We are seeking and working towards reconciliation, yet you are busy issuing threats.”

Apparently infuriated by the remarks, Melaye jumped from his seat and charged towards his Lagos counterpart.

“Look this is not Bourdillon (referring to the famous Lagos residence of Mrs. Tinubu’s politician husband). I will beat you up, ….. impregnate you and nothing will happen,” Melaye threatened.

Witnesses said as Melaye charged towards the Lagos senator, other senators, especially those from the South-West geopolitical zone, waded in and shielded Tinubu from attack, and then calmed her down.

A few other senators also prevailed on Melaye to take it easy and let peace reign, sources said.