A member of the House of Representatives Ahmadu Jaha from Borno State has tendered a public apology to Nigerians especially women over comment he made on the floor of the House on thursday
Representative Jaha had argued that the dress sense of women was responsible for their being raped on daily basis but had realised that the comments were a mistake
Recall that the increasing number of cases of sexual assault against women in the country was the bone of contention at Thursday’s plenary
Lawmakers took turns to speak against the recurring trend, proferring solutions
When it was turn for the member representing Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency of Borno State Ahmadu Jahal to make his submission, he made a major gaffe during the debate on a motion on matter of urgent public importance on rape on the floor
His second amendment
which reads” women should cultivate the habit of proper and decent dress sense to avoid unnecessary harassment from the Male folk who may not control thier urge, has continued to generate heated debate and public outcry
The lawmaker is tendering an unreserved apology to the female folks especially to his female colleagues in the house.
But he insists that capital punishment remains a solution to the problem
Addressing newsmen in Abuja, he affirmed that he “made a mistake that has offended the sensibilities of fellow Nigerians and indeed, fellow human beings, particularly women who are our mothers, wives, sisters and daughters.”
While reaffirming his position that “persons who commit acts of rape should be met with the highest punishment on earth, which is death and domestication of relevant laws such as Violence against Persons and Prohibition Act (VAPP) and other relevant laws against gender based violence in the country,” Hon. Jaha argued that there is no justification for raping a woman despite of her choice of dressing.
“Unfortunately, I sincerely added another caution, saying, that women should cultivate the habit of proper and decent dressing to avoid unnecessary harassment from men who may not control themselves. While I totally reaffirm my position that rapists should face death sentences, I regret the part that talks about the dressing of women- I deeply apologize for this position because as some have rightly argued, my added comment, could imply that women who are victims, share the blame of being raped. This clearly, could not have been the intention of someone who suggested death penalty for rapists.
“The fact is that a woman’s choice of dressing cannot justify rape and here is another practical example I have seen myself. The whole of last night, I made many recollections. I remembered that I do travel in buses and l have done this for many years. I have travelled by commercial buses from Maiduguri to Lagos and to other parts of this country. I have seen many instances in which the bus I am in stops on the way either for food, refueling or more often, for passengers to answer the call of nature
“Many times, we men freely ease ourselves. Many use the roadside on highways. I have also noticed and this has been for long, that when male passengers ease themselves on highways, female passengers make efforts to turn their faces or bow down.
“So, last night, I asked myself a question. If women refuse to be attracted to more revealing men who use the highways, why should any man force himself on a lady to exercise the right to choose what she wears? There is simply no justification. With women showing discipline, men must show more.
“As a man that has been happily married for more than 16 years and blessed with five children, including a daughter, I know that it is a divine responsibility for every good man to protect and preserve the pride of a woman. This is because women have less strength which accounts for the irresponsible ways they are raped by evil men.
“I am more than a million percent against rape and I am more so, because I have a daughter and I cannot imagine how parents feel when their daughters fall to the evil of rapists. As a public servant, from my days at the Borno State House of Assembly, to my days as Commissioner for Higher Education, I have been known as someone who respects women and tries to support and empower them. As a public servant, I am normally confident with women when they set their minds to deliver tasks.
He said “As a politician, I tend to be relaxed when a woman promises me her vote. Most women stick to their guns. Most women are born with natural strength of endurance. That is why they are able to go through childbirth, to nurture families, take care of relations and still able to earn decent livelihoods. Women do things with completeness. I admire this so much because I have benefited from the sincerity and commitment of women. I hold women with the highest respect, with great pride and with so much love that is pure and responsible.
“To my colleagues in the House of Representatives, who may have been disappointed by my comment, especially female lawmakers and my entire constituents, I say to you, that I am deeply sorry. I apologize to all women folks and to all responsible men that should be pained when women are touched, I apologize to all of you. May God bless our women folk, bless responsible women who care for women and bless our country, Nigeria.
Representative Ahmad Jaha is the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Insurance & Actuarial and is known for his intense support for fight against insurgency in Nigeria especially the North east
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