What should be done to Senator for assaulting nursing mother?

A viral video that showed Senator representing Adamawa-North in the National Assembly, Elisha Abbo, slapping a nursing mother in an adult toy shop in Abuja on May 11, 2019 has sparked reactions from different quarters. Daily Trust on Saturday sought opinions of Nigerians on what they think should be done to the lawmaker. Chris Anthony […]

A viral video that showed Senator representing Adamawa-North in the National Assembly, Elisha Abbo, slapping a nursing mother in an adult toy shop in Abuja on May 11, 2019 has sparked reactions from different quarters. Daily Trust on Saturday sought opinions of Nigerians on what they think should be done to the lawmaker.

Chris Anthony Ogbonna, 35, Psychosocial Support/Development Professional, Plateau State

The case of the Senator has just brought to the fore the issues of abuse and assault by people with political powers or privileges. Whether the assault was on a man or woman, it is gross abuse and should be thoroughly investigated and the perpetrator should be made to face the dictates of the law. Apologies are not enough. There should be restitution and compensation for the victim.

Nic Uzor, 35, Civil Engineer and Teacher, Lagos

A Senator who slapped a nursing mother has slapped a nation. He has demonstrated a high level of immaturity and lack of self-control. Such a fellow is unfit to mount such a respectable position in a sane nation. A lawmaker who has no regard for mother and child, definitely has nothing to offer to humanity. The truth is that, nothing should warrant a highly placed fellow to carry out such an inhuman attack on a nursing mother, and in public for that matter. Where is his integrity and self-control? He is a wife beater and can never make a good father, not even to his family let alone a nation like ours.

Mary Losam, 29, Secretary, Plateau State

It is inhuman for a Senator to slap a nursing mother. The man does not deserve to be a representative of the people, because for him to act the way he did shows that he has domestic abuse tendency and probably must have been assaulting his wife. I am more concerned about the fact that a policeman who was standing there could not protect the woman. That shows complacency and the police need to urgently investigate this matter and hold all those involved accountable. I want the Senator to pay compensation to the woman he assaulted. He should also be suspended by the Senate and if possible, his people should recall him to serve as deterrent to others.

Barbara Anang Marok, Social Development Worker, Kaduna

I feel that this Senator should be recalled. Our politicians and leaders need to know that they are called up to a very high moral standard. We know that they have their private lives and we cannot deprive them of that but there are repercussions for every decision and action taken. So, if they know that any misbehaviour is going to cost them their offices, that, I think will make them cautious about the kind of things they engage in, even in private. I am very sure that this Senator did not see it coming, neither did he know that for any reason there was a footage that will be released on the matter. Now he has been caught red-handed. He needs to be recalled. If the person he offended has forgiven him, we will stand by her and forgive him too, but he needs to know that there are consequences for every action.

Genevieve Checklist, 30, Media Practitioner, Lagos

The Senator should be made to apologise to the woman publicly and not Nigerians as he did in the video and also compensate her with a reasonable amount of money. He needs to apologise to the woman directly to show that he feels remorseful for his deeds and also to serve as a lesson to all other public office holders. They need to know that power should not be abused

Rabiu Mohammed, 35, Businessman, Plateau State

What the Senator has done is worth condemning by everybody and justice should take its course. As a Senator, he has joined the league of law makers and he should not be seen to do that. What we want is that the government should direct security agents to investigate the matter and ensure that his punishment is commensurate with the gravity of the offence.

Hajiya Kubrat Usman, 51, Self-employed, Plateau State

What he did is a disgrace and even if he apologises, he should be punished so that it can serve as a deterrent to others. Even as a Senator, he does not have the right to molest anybody and I think this is something that needs to be investigated and the police should take action. But the fact that a policeman was just looking while the woman was being molested is an embarrassment. There was no regard for her.

Kabir Yunus, 39, Businessman, Lagos

For a serving Senator to get involved in such a show of shame, it is a big slap on the ninth assembly and this calls for drastic action from them, at least to prove to the public that they are not in support of such barbaric and inhuman act. Senator Abbo should be suspended from the House to serve as a lesson to other lawmakers, so Nigerians will have more confidence in the upper chamber. This is very important.

Tonye John, 30, Trader, Lagos

Senator Elisha Abbo should be tried for assault and given appropriate punishment to deter others from getting power drunk. Additional punishment can even be added to show lawmakers that it is no longer business as usual.