The Presidential Candidate for Labour Party in the 2023 General Elections, Peter Obi says the.recent spate of stampedes across the country is as a result of biting hunger and systemic failures.
Obi who was reacting to scores of persons that died with many others wounded in tragic incidents in Ibadan, Oyo State; Okija in Anambra and another one in the nation’s capital of Abuja on his X account, said the incidents underline the rising hunger in the country which has led to desperation.
The stampedes happened in a space of five days with the last two occurring on Saturday morning during food distribution campaigns.
Obi, who was the Labour Party (LP)’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, pointed out that the incidents underline the rising hunger in the country which has led to desperation.
The former Anambra State Governor who refused to cast blame, but instead appreciated the organizers of these respective events for their kind gestures in providing palliatives and support to society, especially the poor, noted with concern that these tragedies reflect the systemic failures have bedevilled Nigeria today.
Obi further stated that he was saddened and distressed by the tragic loss of lives in desperate searches for food and wished the wounded quick recovery.
He wondered why Nigeria which is blessed with abundant resources would have its citizens dying of glaring hunger in such numbers.
Part of the write up read: “I am deeply saddened and distressed by the tragic loss of lives in desperate searches for food.
“While I will not cast blame, but instead appreciate the organizers of these respective events for their kind gestures in providing palliatives and support to society, especially the poor, these tragedies reflect the systemic failures that plague our society.
“The desperate quest for survival in these harsh economic times has driven our people to extremes in their search for food, often at the cost of their lives.
“This morning, reports emerged of at least 10 people losing their lives in Abuja while scrambling for palliatives, with many others injured
“How is it possible that we cannot feed our citizens despite the vast, fertile lands our nation is endowed with? My heart bleeds.
“I am deeply saddened and distressed by the tragic loss of lives in desperate searches for food. A few days ago, about 35 people, mostly children, lost their lives in a stampede at a Christmas Funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State.
“One can only imagine the pain their families are enduring at this moment. My heart goes out to them.
“I sincerely commiserate with all the affected families and the good people of Oyo, Anambra, and the FCT over these tragic incidents. May God grant them, and all of us, the strength to bear these painful losses.”
There have been stampedes in a space of five days with the last two occurring this Saturday morning during food distribution campaigns.
Meanwhile Police authorities say they have already launched investigations into the incidents.
