The loose canon of the Senate

In the past two to three weeks, the nation has been on a roller coaster owing to the fracas that broke out in the Senate during a closed door session. (By the way, no one should have been surprised that such an occurrence took place in the first place, after all, that is what the members of the National Assembly are known for.)

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But in this instance, it took a different dimension as, according to stories emanating from the Upper Chamber, the distinguished Senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, Remi Tinubu, the wife of the strongman of Nigerian politics, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Jagaban himself, got into an altercation with the ever cantankerous Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye.

From what we heard, during the acrimonious exchange, she reportedly called Melaye a thug and a dog. Not one to suffer fools silently, (He actually came out to say he does not have the anointing to keep quiet when insulted), Melaye reportedly gave it back to Madam Jagaban, saying he would beat her up and also impregnate her.

That would have sufficed as the legislators always have a way of settling their disputes and fights when, especially, they have some millions to throw amongst themselves, but Nigerians have refused to allow the 'insults' Melaye heaped on Madam to die as many have been polarised in their support and counter-support.

Women groups have not taken the affront on one of their own lying low, with many taking to the streets staging one form of protest or the other in her support, conveniently forgetting what led to the fight in the first place.

No one has found it necessary to also tell Iyawo Jagaban that as a woman, decorum should be expected of her, especially when in the chambers. Dino Melaye, in their eyes, should be chained and thrown out to the dogs, for daring to insult a woman of her status.

But these women did not spare a thought to the female preacher that was stoned to death in Abuja while going about her early morning call to worship.

Before then, a female trader was murdered in cold blood in Kano State by Muslim fundamentalists and the women group did not rise up to demand for justice. But because a colleague verbally assaulted her, they have been all over the place, calling for his head.

No one is supporting Dino on what he did (In fact, going by his past antecedents as a wife beater, it is no surprise he could react that way), but do these women know the precedents they are setting?

They are clearly telling Nigerians that those women who were murdered do not matter because they were not married to their leader and they do not stand to gain anything by fighting for them.

They are not bothered that the lawmakers have not done anything since they were voted into power rather than fighting for their pockets and selfish interests, especially when it involves money. Our mothers and wives are comfortable with pounding the streets to fight for a woman just because she is who she is.

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Who weeps for Deaconess Eunice Elisha Olawale? What happens to the poor trader killed in Kano? What happens to the many women battered by their husbands, with some losing their lives? Who will take to the streets on their behalf? Oh, sorry, they do not matter, after all, they are married to the Jagaban.