- Safiu Kehinde
A Kaduna-based man, Ahmad Saidu, popularly known as Abba, has apologised to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, after pulling the speaker’s garment during his declaration for re-election in Zaria.
The incident which occurred on Sunday was captured in a viral video shared on X.
As seen in the video, Saidu, who was standing close to the podium where Abass was addressing his supporters, disrupted his speech as he dragged the branded white garment worn by the speaker.
The lawmaker swiftly retreated just as security operatives freed him from the supporter’s grip.
Abass however continued with his address shortly after the incident.
Addressing newsmen over the incident on Monday, Saidu, a resident of Unguwar Juma in Zaria, said that he only approached the speaker to seek assistance for the treatment of a fractured right hand sustained in an accident.
According to him, the injury left his hand broken in three different places, while efforts to secure proper medical treatment had been frustrated by financial constraints.
He said he was initially treated at the Traditional Orthopedic Centre Likoro, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, before he was referred to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna.
“We could not continue with the treatment because we cannot afford the medical bills after the support we received stopped.
“As one of the supporters of the speaker, I got information that he would attend a declaration event at Mallawa Eid ground and I went there hoping to seek his assistance.
“When I got close to him, I held his gown while trying to show him my fractured hand, but security personnel dragged me away,” he said.
Saidu said he regretted the action and appealed to the speaker and his supporters to forgive him over the embarrassment caused by the incident.
“If I had known the incident would cause such national embarrassment to the speaker, I would have preferred to continue living with the pain.
“I am one of his supporters and I appreciate the interventions and assistance he has been rendering to people which prompted my action,” he said.
Also speaking, the father of the victim, Malam Sa’idu-Ibrahim Abubakar, expressed regret over the development and apologised to the speaker.
He alleged that political opponents of the speaker had taken advantage of the incident to spread false narratives against him.
“For over two years we have been struggling with treatment at the Traditional Orthopaedic Centre, Likoro, ABUTH and later at the 44 Army Reference Hospital Kaduna.
“We could not cope with the medical expenses and had to return home,” he said.
The father, however, commended the speaker for agreeing to shoulder the medical bills of his son despite the incident at the declaration venue.