The senator representing Ekiti South senatorial district in the National Assembly, Sen. Biodun Olujimi has debunked allegations that she ordered her security detail to slap a staff of the assembly, saying it was beneath her dignity to do such.
She also described as false rumours that she was slapped by the assembly staff.
Reports had circulated that an altercation ensued at the new wing of the National Assembly complex over the right to use a lift in the complex.
This allegedly led a staffer in the legislative assembly to physically manhandle the senator who also ordered him “slapped” by her security detail.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator allegedly ordered the slapping of the unnamedmember of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) for daring to share a lift with her.
This generated furore as members of the union created a scene in protest.
However, in an interaction with the media on Monday, Olujimi denied the physical assault on her.
She also said she did not order the slapping of anybody.
Explaining what happened, the senator said: “I went for a public hearing and I understood that there was another meeting upstairs so I got into a lift. Yes, it was a staff lift and I thought that everyone should be able to get in it and my security stood in front of me.
“Some gentlemen and women came in and were abusing, asking why he will shield anybody, ‘get out; this is our lift.’ One of them just pushed him and then they had altercation, I just came out and told them that it was wrong and that is what happened.”
On the allegation of ordering a slap, Olujimi said, “Could I have done that? Is it possible? How can I ask anybody to slap? The boy came, and they brought him and I told him he should go because he knew that he didn’t do well. You didn’t do well because you were the one that slapped him. I didn’t even say a word all through because I stood at the back.
“It wasn’t my business, it was the business of the security man. Yes I was in the staff lift. But what says we cant go in staff lift? When I see people standing outside in distinguished senators lift, I also ask them to come in because I believe that is the way it should be. How could I have slapped anybody at my age, and level. That is not possible.”