A Senator and a member of the House
of Representatives clashed Wednesday in Yola over the distribution of
relief materials for to internally displaced people.
The incident
took place at the Yola International Airport between the senator
representing Adamawa central senatorial zone, Abdulaziz Nyako, and the
House member representing Michika/Madagali, Adamu Kamale.
Following
the recent bomb blasts that rocked Madagali, the National Emergency
Management Agency, NEMA had set aside relief materials to assist the
communities affected.
PREMIUM TIMES learnt that arrangements were
also made for, ”all the stakeholders” to go in a team by air to deliver
the relief materials, while NEMA officials supervised the delivery.
A
security source, who was at the airport where the team gathered,
narrated how the two lawmakers engaged in a violent confrontation.
”A
helicopter was arranged by the Air Force to convey some of the
stakeholders to where the materials were to be distributed on Wednesday.
However, minutes before the take-off, drama ensued at the airport.
Kamale was billed to travel on board the helicopter with Senator
Abdulaziz Nyako, Air Commodore Sunday Ohemu and others,” the source
said.
”But, while they were about to board the helicopter,
Senator Abdulaziz Nyako was seen saying that, ‘Kamale should not be
allowed to use the helicopter as he (Nyako) is the chairman of the
delegation.’ This caused drama and hot argument.”
Mr. Kamale told PREMIUM TIMES his version of what transpired.
“Following
the unfortunate incidence of bomb blast explosions in Madagali, which
is one of the local governments in my constituency, the Governor of
Adamawa State, together with other well-meaning Nigerians including
members of the National Assembly solicited for relief materials from the
National Emergency Agency (NEMA) for the people of Madagali.
“As
the honourable member representing the area, I personally called on the
director general of NEMA earlier on Monday the 20th of November, 2017
to ensure the delivery of the relief materials. Arrangements were made
with all the stakeholders, including Senator Abdulaziz Nyako, who is the
chairman, senate committee on IDPs /NEMA to deliver the relief
materials. Air Commodore Ohemu was assigned by NEMA to supervise the
delivery.
”A helicopter was arranged by the Air Force to convey
some of the stakeholders to where the materials was to be distributed on
Wednesday, November, 21st, 2017 by 9am. I was billed to travel on board
the helicopter with Senator Abdulaziz Nyako, Air commodore Ohemu and
others.
He said he did not bargain for what he met when he tried boarding the aircraft.
“To
my utmost dismay, while I was to board the helicopter, Senator
Abdulaziz Nyako ordered that I should not be permitted to use the
helicopter as he is the chairman of the delegation.
“All my
efforts to draw the attention of the Senator and the Air Force officer
failed and in the process, the Air Force officer ordered his men on
ground to assault my person and to put me in the guardroom. They tore up
my dresses. I sustained a lot of bruises from my forceful withdrawal
from the helicopter,” Mr. Kamale said.
He added, that,
“The people of Madagali have suffered several attacks and have been
traumatised for many years. As their representative, I have never seen
Senator Abdulaziz Nyako in Madagali to commiserate with the people of
the area over the several unfortunate incidences.
“I cannot
explain this sudden ‘monopoly’ of the Senator on the Federal
government’s relief materials meant for the people of my constituency,”
Mr. Kamale said.
Mr. Nyako denied assaulting the lawmaker. He also gave PREMIUM TIMES his version of what happened at the Yola airport.
”Last
week, I was at NEMA headquarters for oversight function being the
chairman, senate committee on IDPs/ NEMA. They requested me to be part
(of the process) and to chair the relief materials’ distribution in
Gulak, Madagali. So they assured me they would provide me with an
aircraft, and they requested that I should provide them with the list of
those who will be in my entourage.
”Naturally I provided the
names of members of my committee in the Senate and I was also informed
by the DG NEMA that Senator Binta Masi Garba (representing the area)
will want to be in attendance. So I included her name and that of the
chairman, House of Reps committee on NEMA /IDPs, Hon.Jibrin Galjumari.
”To
our dismay, after we all boarded the helicopter and the crew had
finished all checks and engine was set on with propeller rolling, about
to take-off, to our shock, the man in question (Mr. Kamale) from nowhere
just jumped in, in what could be described as suicidal mission. He
wanted to ‘climb’ the aircraft, a serious situation he put us in.
”So
he should thank God for saving his life, not blame me! We were all
shocked to our marrow when we were later told that he was a federal
lawmaker, who should have known the consequence (of what he did),’’ Mr.
Nyako said.
The North-east zonal coordinator of NEMA, Bashir
Garga, blamed Mr. Kamale for his action which he described as a ”suicide
mission.”
”In the first place, NEMA provided the names of those
scheduled for the flight. Kamale’s name was not in the flight manifesto
but the honourable member declined to heed to our pleas.
”How
could he attempt to enter, after the helicopter was about lifting into
the air? Infact, if not that the Air Force pilot was ‘mindful’, the
propeller could have cut off his head’’, the official said.
The air commodore’s version of what happened could not be immediately obtained at the time of filing the report.