Following her altercation with Senator Dino Melaye during an executive session of the Senate, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday, wrote a petition to the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Tinubu, who represents Lagos Central in the senate, noted in the letters that she was making an official complaint to the Senate and APC leadership over the “gross misconduct” of Melaye during an executive session of the Senate.

She noted that Melaye’s behaviour was  “improper” and “harmful” and an affront to the government, senate and the APC.

Tinubu is the wife of the national leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu and member of the APC alongside Melaye.

She said, “What took place at that session was nothing short of a threat of physical assault and abuse against me by senator Melaye.”

“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.”

She called on the leadership to sanction Melaye’s behaviour on the basis of APC’s non-tolerance of gender discrimination and the vehicle for change.

Speaking on what transpired in the Senate last week, Tinubu said she was given an opportunity to speak after Melaye had lambasted some senators for the forgery case preferred against the leadership of the senate.

She stated, “I remained and attempted no interjection during the statement; senator Melaye tried to abridge my rights by hectoring at me and interrupting my contribution.

“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.”

The Senator noted that at that point Melaye charged at her in an effort to physically harass her.

“The attack was only prevented by some respectful senators who moved to impede his path or otherwise block him from approaching me.

“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.”

Tinubu further said that it was of great concern that the senate has remained silent on the matter as if it condone Melaye’s behaviour.