Soldiers this morning insisted on searching the official car of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, before he could be allowed into an international conference in Kaduna, Metropole has gathered.
Tambuwal drove in his official car with flag and insignia and in a convoy, an eye-witness disclosed.
Angered by the treatment of the soldiers, the Speaker reportedly stormed out of the car and trekked into the venue.
According to the source, the incident occurred at Hotel 17, venue of an International conference on security and development challenges of pastoralism in West and Central Africa organised by the office of the National Security Adviser. The Speaker is scheduled to deliver an address at the conference.
Tambuwal, who arrived the venue of the gathering at exactly 9.16 am for the 10.00 am opening ceremony, had his convoy stopped by soldiers who insisted they must search his official car before he could be allowed into the venue, the source said.
Despite much entreaties by security details attached to the Speaker, the soldiers refused, with some saying they have orders from above to search the Speaker.
The same treament was not given to other VIPs, especially Governors, who were allowed access into the hotel without hindrance.
The Speaker is the number four in protocol hierarchy in the Federation, after the President, Vice-President, and the Senate President.
When contacted for his reaction, Tambuwal's spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, decried the conduct of the soldiers, saying their attitude undermines the institution of the legislature.
"It is not about the person of the Speaker, but the office he is occupying," he said. "What we expect is for the security agents to show respect for the office of the Number 4 citizen of the country."
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