From Abubakar Sadiq Mohd, Zaria
A supporter of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has explained the circumstances surrounding an incident in which he held the Speaker’s attire during a political gathering in Zaria, saying he only wanted to seek financial assistance for medical treatment.
The supporter, Ahmad Saidu, popularly known as Abba, spoke with journalists in Zaria on Monday following the incident that occurred during Speaker Abbas’ declaration for re-election at the Mallawa Eid Ground.
According to him, he sustained a severe fracture on his right hand in an accident, leaving the hand broken in three different places.
Saidu said he initially received treatment at the Traditional Orthopaedic Centre, Likoro, and later at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), before he was referred to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna.
He explained that financial constraints prevented him from continuing with the treatment after support previously received from individuals stopped.
“We could not continue with the treatment because we could no longer afford the medical bills after the assistance we received ended,” he said.
Saidu stated that after learning the Speaker would attend the declaration event, he decided to approach him personally for assistance.
“As one of the Speaker’s supporters, I went to the venue hoping to seek his help. 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.
He expressed regret over the incident, insisting that he never intended to embarrass the Speaker publicly.
“If I had known the incident would attract national attention and embarrass the Speaker, I would have preferred to continue enduring the pain,” he added.
Saidu also commended Speaker Abbas for his interventions and assistance to people, saying that was what motivated him to approach the lawmaker.
Speaking separately, the victim’s father, Malam Saidu Ibrahim Abubakar, apologised to the Speaker over the incident and alleged that political opponents had exploited the situation to spread false narratives.
He said the family had struggled for more than two years to fund treatment at both ABUTH and the 44 Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna, but could no longer cope with the medical expenses.
The father, however, commended Speaker Abbas for agreeing to shoulder the medical bills of his son despite the incident at the event venue.
