Adamawa North senator, Elisha Abbo, on Wednesday apologised for assaulting a nursing mother after a video of the assault had gone viral.
Naijaparry reports that the tearful senator apologised during a media briefing in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Abbo was caught on a camera installed in a sex toy shop assaulting the woman.
Although the video surfaced online on Tuesday, July 2, the incident was reported to have occurred on 11 May, a month before Abbo was sworn in senator.
He apologised to mothers, Nigerians, his party, the National Assembly, his family, the victim and her family as well as all people who were embarrassed by his conduct.
“I’m not here to tell my own side of the story,” he said.
“It is with a deep sense of remorse and responsibility that I, Senator Ishaku Abbo profoundly apologize to all Nigerians, the Senate, the Peoples Democratic Party, my family, friends as well as our mothers – the Nigerian women.
“I personally apologize to Bibra and her family for my action towards her, which has brought immense discomfort in our body polity.”
He added, “l have never been known or associated with such actions in the past. Regardless of what transpired prior to my expression of anger, I am sincerely sorry and plead that all men and women of good conscience should have the heart to forgive me. To err is human, to forgive is divine.”
The lawmaker apologised after many Nigerians including members of his political party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and former vice-president Atiku Abubakar, who also hails from Adamawa state, had strongly condemned his action.
“I have seen the alleged assault video involving Sen. Elisha Abbo. The video is sad, inexcusable. I know the Senator quite well. But the law is clear and leaders must lead by example,” Atiku noted.
“I advise him to publicly apologize, voluntarily go to the police and show a good example expected of a young leader. I also call on our party, the PDP to take necessary disciplinary action and the Nigerian Police to ensure the law takes its full course.”
Meanwhile, the highest ranking police officer in Nigeria, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered a thorough probe of the incident.
“IGP orders comprehensive and holistic investigation into the incident of an alleged assult on a female Nigerian by Senator Elisha Abbo,” a tweet on the Nigeria Police Force handle read.
IGP orders comprehensive and holistic investigation into the incident of an alleged assult on a female Nigerian by Senator Elisha Abbo.
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) July 3, 2019
