By Hassan Ibrahim
Contrary to the viral reports circulating on social media alleging that one Ahmad Saidu attacked the Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker of the House of Representatives, during his declaration event, the incident has been clarified as a misunderstanding. Ahmad Saidu insists he did not attack the Speaker but only attempted to seek urgent medical assistance.
Ahmad Saidu, popularly known as Abba from Anguwan Juma, Zaria, explained this in an interview with journalists following the incident that occurred on Saturday at Filin Mallawa along Jos Road, Zaria.
According to him, the situation has been wrongly portrayed, stressing that his action was driven by desperation over his medical condition rather than any form of aggression.
“I am one of the strong supporters of the Speaker. I respect him because of the way he helps people without discrimination,” he said.
He explained that he has been suffering from a fractured right hand. “I had an accident and my hand was fractured. We tried treatment and even had the first surgery, but it was not successful. Doctors advised another surgery, but we could not get assistance again.”
He further stated that he later heard the Speaker would be present at an event, which made him go there in hope of getting help.
“When I got there, I tried several times to access the Speaker but could not. At the final stage, I saw an opportunity, moved closer, and raised my injured hand so he could see it. Immediately, someone pulled me from behind,” he explained.
Ahmad added that what people interpreted as an attack was actually him trying to get attention. “I was only showing my fractured hand and calling on him to help me. I held his clothes because I was being dragged away at the same time. I was not attacking him.”
He also said he approached other dignitaries at the event seeking assistance, and one of them promised to help him, but he still hoped to reach the Speaker because of his known generosity.
In his own account, Ahmad’s father, Malam Sa’idu, said the family has long been seeking help for his son’s condition. He explained that he himself is also facing health challenges, including eye problems, which made it difficult to reach influential people directly.
Malam Sa’idu said Ahmad went to the event on his own after hearing about the Speaker’s visit. “He told me he asked a security officer to help him get access, but he was told to wait. He later felt he might not get the chance again, so he tried to move closer during the event.”
He added that his son only raised his hand to show his condition when he got near the Speaker before security personnel quickly intervened and pulled him away.
“As a father, I was not happy when I heard the negative reports. I know my son is not a violent person. He has been suffering since the accident caused by a vehicle that hit him, and the driver escaped,” he said.
Malam Sa’idu also expressed regret over the manner his son acted, noting that security presence at the event made the situation sensitive. He apologized to the authorities and appealed for assistance to help treat Ahmad’s medical condition.
0 Comments