National Security Adviser apologises to Tambuwal for his harassment by soldiers

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), has formally apologised to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, for his harassment by soldiers at a function in Kaduna organised by the Office of the NSA.

Tambuwal, who was a keynote speaker at the function, had his convoy stopped by soldiers on duty at the 17th Hotel venue of the international conference on Security and Development: Challenges of Pastoralism in West and Central Africa on Monday.

This infuriated Tambuwal who dropped from his car and trekked to the venue.
The speaker’s spokesperson, Imam Imam, confirmed that Dasuki wrote to the Tambuwal, apologising to him. “I can confirm that the speaker’s office has received a letter from the NSA’s tendering unreserved apology over what happened in Kaduna,” Imam wrote.

He explained: “The NSA, through a letter, has tendered unreserved apology to Tambuwal for Monday’s incident.

“The letter reaffirmed the respect the NSA has for the person and office of the Speaker. It also regretted what happened,” Imam added.

Meanwhile, Tambuwal yesterday said he was not lawless and should have been accorded the full compliments his office deserves.

He said he was not against his car or himself being searched, but expected to be accorded the full compliments that his office deserves.

“I want to tell you that I’m not above the law. As recently as last week Wednesday when I was travelling to Paris, I subjected myself to screening by staff of the Air France here at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. My luggage was requested to be searched, and I obliged them; I gave them my luggage. My physical person was frisked, and I allowed that happened without any resistance. That is to show everyone that I am not averse to being subjected to scrutiny or screening by constituted authorities he explained”

He said: “The difference between that and what happened in Kaduna is the fact that I was expected to enjoy some protocol and privileges as the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria. Moreso, from the authorities established by law, several times that I go out of this country, I have been extended courtesies and privileges whereby even my own luggage were not subjected to that because I am the Speaker of the House.” He added: “No one out there should have any impression that any of us here in the House of Representatives or in the National Assembly is above the law. That is not the message we are sending. What we are talking about is the institution of the legislature and not the individuals that are constituted in the Nigerian legislature.”