Exclusive… Saraki, others prevail on Sen Abba Ibrahim to stay away from Senate

Few days after a scandalous video emerged, which showed Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim dressing up in the presence of two women in a room, possibly after sex, Ripples Nigeria has learned that the Senate has prevailed on the embattled lawmaker not to come to the National Assembly premises, until the controversy fizzles out.

The lawmaker who told a newspaper that he had not committed any official wrongdoing and that the video was only made public after attempts to blackmail him failed, has not been seen within the vicinity of the National Assembly.

On Tuesday, he was not in the chamber. He was also absent today (Wednesday) His reserved seat in the Red Chamber, was visibly empty throughout the duration of the day’s legislative business.

Ripples Nigeria gathered from multiple sources that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the entire leadership of the upper legislative chamber, decided to prevail on Senator Ibrahim to shelve the premises for now.

It was learnt that Ibrahim, who was still grandstanding soon after the video went public, reluctantly accepted the plea from the Senate leadership.

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As at the time of filing in this report, it could not be ascertained whether the issue will be investigated by the Senate committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

The Senate leadership, unlike in the case of Senator Ali Ndume, whose suspension was given an accelerated hearing, has kept a loud silence since the incidence broke out.

Even when a closed door session was held on Tuesday, Ripples Nigeria gathered that the issue was not discussed. No lawmaker raised the issue, although it was learnt that Saraki was not willing to entertain it.

In an interview published by Premium Times, Senator Ibrahim was quoted to have said: “This is a personal, private matter. What does my having been with a girl have to do with the public? You know the normal thing: people ask for unreasonable things, and if you deny them, they try to blackmail you if they have a way.”

“If they say I raped, that’s a different matter altogether,” Senator Ibrahim said. “Is it because I am a public official then I am not supposed to be entitled to private life?”

The senator said he knew when one of the women was filming him, but was told it was only for fun and they also wanted to illuminate the room with a camera.

“They just mentioned it to me as a joke and I took it as nothing really serious,” he said. “This is something that happened between two adults.”

“I have commenced investigations to find out why it is circulating,” the senator said. “But from all indications, it is a blackmail.”

 

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