• Avoids Senate chamber, office
  • I’ve been advised not to talk, he says

From FRED ITUA, Abuja

Almost one week after a scandalous video emerged, which showed Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim dressing up in the presence of two women, allegedly after sex, the embattled lawmaker has gone into hiding.

The three-time governor of Yobe State, who also introduced Sharia law in 2000, has not been seen within the vicinity of the National Assembly since the video was released online.

It was reliably learnt that following the release of the video, the Senate prevailed on the embattled lawmaker not to come to the National Assembly premises, until the controversy fizzles out. Ibrahim, who vehemently defended himelf, soon after the video went viral, reluctantly accepted the plea from the Senate leadership, Saturday Sun gathered.

Senator Ibrahim who told an online newspaper that he had not committed any crime and that the video was only released after attempts to blackmail him failed, has also not attended plenary and committees sittings.

Through the week, he was not in the chamber. His reserved seat in the Red Chamber, was conspicuously empty throughout the duration of the week’s legislative business.

On its part, the Senate has not mandated its committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to commence investigations into the scandalous video, which was published by an online platform.

In the interview which was published by Premium Times Newspaper, 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,” Ibrahim said. “Is it because I am a public official then I am not supposed to be entitled to private life?”

Saturday Sun made several frantic efforts to speak with Senator Ibrahim on the issue. Series of calls put across to his two valid phone numbers, were not picked.

The lawmaker however responded to a message sent to his mobile line by our correspondent. The reply from the Senator reads: “I have been advised not to talk to the press for now please.”