Women Advocacy Group Threatens Fire If Dino Maleye Fails to Apologize to Remi Tinubu in 3 Days

Senator Dino Melaye

Senator Dino Melaye has been issued a new threat by the Women Advocacy Research and Development Centre (WARDC) on Thursday to immediately apologise to Senator Oluremi Tinubu over his verbal assault against the senator from Lagos central or face the consequences.

In a statement by its Coordinator, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi said the said the raging case of verbal abuse from Melaye “is another case to buttress the lackluster attitude to the issue of women’s human rights protection and gender equality in Nigeria”.

The non-governmental organization (NGO) threatened to occupy the National Assembly if Melaye failed to do so within three days. Akiyode-Afolabi said: “Failure of Senator Dino Melaye to take this appropriate step will lead to OCCUPY NATIONAL ASSEMBLY by well meaning Nigerians”.

The statement read further, “Verbal abuse, assault and battery of women is becoming a pattern in our democratic dispensation and it is a reflection of the numerous abuses that women face on a daily basis in the society.

“According to National Demographic and Health Survey Report (2013), 28 percent of women age 15-49 have experienced physical violence at least once and 7 percent have experienced sexual violence in Nigeria and it is believed these figures are not representative of the magnitude of the problem.

“Between 2003 till date, notable women lawmakers have experienced physical and verbal abuse from men who are supposed to protect their rights. Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, was slapped by another Lawmaker at the National Assembly while another female lawmaker from Edo state was battered by an aide to an Immigration Oficer at the Assembly Complex earlier this year. Honourable Funmi Tejuoso was also physically assaulted at the Lagos State House of Assembly sometimes ago then this gender insecurity against Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

“Unfortunately, despite the public outcry against the security threat to Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the senate and the APC have not yet responded to the matter. The silence on the matter by the Senate and other members of the National Assembly vividly explains a tacit support from the hallowed Chamber on violence against women."