Omokri slams Obi’s comment on Ibadan stampede, says Anambra experienced most deaths of such under him

A social media influencer and political activist, Reno Omokri, has slammed Peter Obi, on his comment over the Ibadan stampede, stating that Anambra experienced most death of such under his administration.

According to the Diaspora Digital Media (DDM), Reno took to his X formerly Twitter page, on Friday, to criticize Obi’s comment.

His post read: “Under Peter Obi, Anambra State experienced the most deaths from stampede in Nigeria.

“I was dumbfounded to read Peter Obi’s statement on the stampede that led to the deaths of 35 children.

“One would have expected Mr. Peter Obi to have condoled with the families and moved on.

“But he chose to mock their deaths by accusing the Federal Government of “systemic failure”, which caused “harsh realities” that resulted in the deaths.

“This is sad coming from a man under whom, as Governor of Anambra State, poverty almost doubled, as revealed by his immediate successor, Mr. Willie Obiano, and the incumbent Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo.

“Please fact-check me.

“Before Peter Obi took over as Governor of Anambra, poverty in that state was 41.4%.

“But under Mr. Obi, it grew to 53.7%, in part because Peter Obi refused to use the state’s allocations to build infrastructure, preferring to deposit them in his own bank to yield interest that went to his pockets.

“In his eight years as Governor, Mr. Obi did not initiate, start, complete, or commission even one nursery, primary, secondary school, or university.

“Mr. Obi can sue me if I lied.

“But he wouldn’t because these are facts.

“Additionally, under Peter Obi, Anambra State experienced multiple deaths by stampede, including a stampede on Sunday, November 3, 2013, that killed 28 persons.

“Funny enough, Peter Obi himself was at the scene of the incident and was accused by survivors of triggering the stampede.

“Please fact-check me.

“It is hypocritical for a man under whom these events occurred to now use the Ibadan tragedy to stigmatize the Tinubu administration.

“Genuine opposition politics involves providing alternative solutions to issues.

“It is an abuse of the idea of opposition to lazily sit and wait for tragedies to occur and then seek to profit from them.

“That is wickedness, not politics.

About Ibadan stampede

On December 18, 2024, a tragic crowd crush occurred during a Christmas funfair in Ibadan, Nigeria, claiming the lives of 35 children.

The incident took place at the Islamic High School in the Bashorun district, where thousands gathered for promised cash handouts and food distributions.

Six other children sustained injuries and required hospitalization.

The funfair was organized by Olori Naomi Silekunola, the Women In Need Of Guidance and Support Foundation, and Agidigbo 88.7 FM.

This free event targeted children aged 0-13 and aimed to distribute 5,000 naira (about $3.20) to 5,000 children, alongside free food and prizes, including scholarships.

The event attracted considerable attention due to Nigeria’s severe economic crisis, which has been described as the worst in a generation.

Attendees began arriving as early as 5:00 AM, five hours before the event’s scheduled start.

Reports indicated that over 5,000 children gathered at the venue.

The deadly crush occurred shortly after the organizers arrived to begin the event, but the exact sequence of events is still under investigation.

Following the tragedy, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde deployed security agents to restore order at the scene.

Medical facilities across Ibadan treated multiple victims.

At one hospital, staff reported six admissions, with only two survivors.

Another facility confirmed three fatalities.

In the aftermath, police arrested eight individuals linked to the event, including organizer Naomi Silekunola and the school principal.

The Women in Need Of Guidance and Support Foundation faced immediate scrutiny regarding its role in the disaster.

President Bola Tinubu ordered a thorough investigation and extended condolences to the families affected.

The case has been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department.

Also, it has been placed under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police.

Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, expressed his condolences to the grieving families.

He pledged to support community healing efforts and offered assistance to his former wife, Olori Naomi Silekunola.

He recognized her history of organizing charitable events in Ile Ife and encouraged the continuation of such initiatives with enhanced safety measures to prevent future tragedies.

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