By Mustapha Yauri
A supporter involved in a viral incident during the re-election declaration of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has apologised over the development.
The supporter, Ahmad Saidu, popularly known as Abba, told newsmen in Zaria on Monday that he only approached the speaker to seek assistance for the treatment of a fractured right hand sustained in an accident.
Saidu, a resident of Unguwar Juma in Zaria, said the injury left his hand broken in three places, while efforts to secure proper medical treatment had been hindered by financial constraints.
According to him, he was initially treated at the Traditional Orthopedic Centre, Likoro, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, before he was referred to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital.
“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 expressed regret over the action and appealed to the speaker and his supporters to forgive him for 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, apologised to the speaker over the incident.
He alleged that political opponents of the speaker had taken advantage of the development 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.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a viral video emerged online shortly after the declaration ceremony showing the speaker briefly staggering on the podium after a supporter held his gown. (NAN)
Edited by Yakubu Uba
