Stampede: Presidency calls out Obi for politizing tragedies

The former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 General Election, Mr. Peter Obi came under fire from the government on Monday for remarks he made regarding the recent terrible stampedes in Oyo, Anambra, and Abuja that resulted in the deaths of children.

Mr. Sunday Dare, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, revealed this via his X account.

Mr. Dare said that Obi’s comments were offensive.

He said: “When seeking someone who benefits from the misfortune of others or from confusion — what the Yoruba people describe as Aríje nínú Màdàrú — look no further than Peter Obi.

“His recent comments on the avoidable tragedies in Anambra and Oyo states lack statesmanship and decency, even as he clings to the fading echoes of his much-vaunted political victory.

“This attempt to score cheap political points falls flat.

“In times of unfortunate tragedy, leaders are expected to speak responsibly and offer support.

“President Tinubu cancelled all engagements, expressed profound sadness over the loss of lives, and ordered an immediate investigation.

“That is the way of true leadership.

“These incidents have highlighted critical issues that must be addressed”, he added.

In order to raise the standard of living for regular Nigerians, Dare emphasized that Tinubu’s administration is still dedicated to tackling the nation’s economic problems.

Anambra, OYO, Abuja stampedes

According to source, a stampede at a children’s festival in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday claimed the lives of roughly 40 youngsters.

Similarly, ten people were killed in a stampede that occurred at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday while rice and other palliatives were being distributed.

In another incident, a stampede over rice palliatives is said to have killed at least 17 people from the Okija community in Anambra State.

Obi responded to the fatalities by calling the stampedes “systemic failures plaguing Nigeria” in tweets on X.

He was reportedly worried that people in Nigeria were starving to death in spite of the country’s wealth and fertile terrain.

Anambra state palliative distribution stampede – DDM

Several people died in separate stampede episodes in Anambra and Abuja in Nigeria, according to Diaspora Digital Media.

An unknown number of people were killed in a stampede that broke out at a rice-sharing event in Okija, Anambra State.

Chaos and panic broke out when a sizable throng assembled to receive free bags of rice.

In a different occurrence in Abuja, a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama during a palliatives sharing event reportedly claimed the lives of ten persons, including four children.

Four of the eight injured have already received treatment and been released.

The FCT Police Command sent their sympathies to the families of the deceased and confirmed the deaths in Abuja.

In order to guarantee proper security measures, the Command further mandated that any organizations organizing public events or sizable crowds contact the police beforehand.

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