'I've forgiven Melaye,' Senator says

Speaking on Wednesday, July 20, when lawmakers from the Lagos state house of assembly and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) paid her a solidarity visit at the national assembly complex, Abuja, Tinubu said being a Christian, she has forgiven Melaye.

“When the Senate President invited me yesterday and I gave my word. You can see the channel I have taken in the aftermath of the event. I reported to the IGP; I wrote to him also, after I waited for one week. When it happened, it was him I went to. I waited for one week and nothing was done. I also wrote to the party (APC) chairman,” PUNCH quoted her as saying.

“I met with the senate leadership yesterday (Tuesday) after one week; I met with him (Senate President Bukola Saraki) yesterday. And as a Christian, I said I had already forgiven him (Melaye) for even with the way I was treated. But the point is that what people don’t realise is that I am a very reserved person.

“After I gave my word to him (Saraki) yesterday, I told myself that at 55 I am not a wimp of anybody.

“I witnessed the Sani Abacha regime and I know what I saw and why I am committed to this cause. But now, my hands are tied to say I forgive people. I am a Christian; when I give my word, I must abide by it. But I am not scared to follow this through.

“I am not championing a cause for women. I am only standing in my space and if my space is encroached upon, I have to fight back. Rosa Parks wasn’t an activist; she just decided to sit in her space and not give up her space anybody in a bus. And that sent a message.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank all the Nigerian women who rose up; the women rights groups who are calling, conducting press conferences and doing a lot of things.”

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Many women groups have since the incident taken to the streets, demanding justice for the Senator, who representsLagos central senatorial district.

But despite the protests against him, Melaye, has insisted he does not owe Senator Tinubu any apology, and accused her of paying the women protesters N75 million for their action.