I’m sorry, says senator
Discipline him, Atiku tells PDP
The senate has set up an ad hoc committee to investigate Mr. Elisha Abbo of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who was caught on video hitting a nursing mother several times adults’ toys shop in Abuja.
The committee which was set up following a motion sponsored by the All Progressives Congress (APC) senator representing Kaduna Central, Mr. Uba Sani, is headed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) senator representing Ebonyi north, Dr. Sam Egwu.
Moving the motion on the floor of the red chamber on Wednesday, Sani said his credibility is at stake over the incident.
“That has gone a long way in tarnishing the image and credibility of this senate. As a member of this senate, my own credibility is at stake.
“Some of us have spent most of our lives defending and fighting for the rights of less privileged and most especially, the youth and women.
“I, therefore, call on this senate to take a decisive action to redeem the image of this senate,” he said.
In his contribution, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele (APC Ekiti central) described the incident as extremely tragic.
“Nigerians must also be able to see us as people who are willing and ready to lead by example. Much as we must ensure that our colleague suffers for what he did not do assuming without considering that he didn’t do this.
“On the other hand, we must be able to protect the right of the Nigerian who has been violated. What we saw is a clear violation of sections 33, 34 and 35 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which provides respectively for the right to life, right to dignity of the human person and right to personal liberty,” he said.
For his part, the senate president Mr. Ahmad Lawan said both parties should have a fair hearing when they appear before the committee.
“Whatever we saw remains an allegation and until we investigate and find out what happened – both parties will have a fair hearing.
“This morning, I received a lot of calls about the incident. I believe that this senate will be responsive. We cannot condone any act of violence by anyone. If there is an allegation against any of us, we must ensure that justice prevails.
“We are going to set up a bi-partisan committee to investigate the issue,” said the senate president.
Meanwhile, candidate of the PDP in the February 23 presidential election, Mr. Atiku Abubakar, has called on the party to immediately discipline Abbo.
Atiku said the law must take its course.
“I have seen the alleged assault video involving Sen. Elisha Abbo. The video is sad, inexcusable. I know the Senator quite well. But the law is clear and leaders must lead by example.
“I advise him to publicly apologize, voluntarily go to the police and show a good example expected of a young leader. I also call on our party, the PDP, to take necessary disciplinary action and the Nigerian Police to ensure the law takes its full course,” he said.
Meanwhile, Abbo has apologised for assaulting the woman.
The senator, during a media briefing in Abuja, wept as he apologized to mothers, Nigerians, the PDP; the national assembly, his family, the victim and her family as well as all people who were embarrassed by his conduct.
He stated that he had never been known or associated with assault in the past.
He said that regardless of what transpired prior to his expression of anger, he was sincerely sorry and pleaded that all men and women should have the heart to forgive him.
“I’m not here to tell my own side of the story.
“It is with a deep sense of remorse and responsibility that I, Senator Ishaku Abbo profoundly apologise to all Nigerians, the Senate, the Peoples Democratic Party, my family, friends as well as our mothers – the Nigerian women.
“I personally apologise to Bibra and her family for my action towards her, which has brought immense discomfort in our body polity.”
“I have never been known or associated with such actions in the past. Regardless of what transpired prior to my expression of anger, I am sincerely sorry and plead that all men and women of good conscience should have the heart to forgive me. To err is human, to forgive is divine,” he said.
