Untold Story of the Senators Dino Melaye-Remi Tinubu Closed-door Clash

Strong media reports have further affirmed the altercation between Senators Dino Melaye and Remi Tinubu of the same All Progressives Congress at a senate plenary session yesterday, 12th of July, 2016.

A report by Premium Times revealed that the warring duo were seen exchanging words in a fierce confrontation that almost led to a physical challenge. The odd event took place on Tuesday during a closed door meeting when Remi Tinubu of Lagos State countered Dino Melaye's proposition that the senate should sanction lawmakers who volunteered as prosecution witnesses in the celebrated forgery of the Senate Standing Rules implicating the senate principal officers namely Bukola Saraki and his Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and other clerks of the house.

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, ” Mr. Melaye was quoted as saying as he pointed at the affected senators, his face contorted in rage.

Some sources said when Mrs. Tinubu was recognised to speak, she rose, and said, “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.”

A source also said at this point, Mr. Melaye jumped up from his seat and charged towards Mrs. Tinubu, 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.”

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

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

“We had to move in to save the situation because he had already overwhelmed her with his voice,” one of the senators, who calmed Mr. Tinubu down, said.

“Many dirty things do happen during closed-door sessions, but people don’t get to hear about it,” another senator said. “But now that the senate is divided, proceedings at executive sessions are being leaked to the press.

“Yesterday was one of such dirty sessions, there was ramblings, uproar and profanities. It was so sad.”

Remi Tinubu has failed to comment on the ugly incident over 24hrs after its occurrence despite efforts to reach her on phone by journalists.