The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has attributed recent stampedes across Nigeria to the worsening economic conditions under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The opposition party described the incidents as a reflection of the deepening poverty, hunger, and desperation facing Nigerians.
Tragedy struck on Wednesday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, where over 35 individuals—mostly children—lost their lives in a stampede at a funfair event. The grim occurrences continued on Saturday, with two additional stampede incidents reported in Ojika, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, and the Maitama district of Abuja during the distribution of rice and other palliative items. The Anambra incident claimed 22 lives, while 10 fatalities were recorded in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, expressed dismay over the tragedies, blaming the federal government’s “insensitive and ineffective” policies for plunging citizens into dire circumstances.
“It is heartbreaking that despite our abundant resources as a nation, Nigerians have been subjected to an agonizing life where they die struggling for food,” the statement read. “The widespread food stampedes in the country are a painful testament to the alarming levels of misery, hunger, and desperation under the Tinubu-led administration.”
The PDP further criticized the administration for what it described as its disregard for human life and failure to implement effective intervention programs to mitigate the hardship faced by Nigerians. According to Ologunagba, the stampedes could have been avoided if proper mechanisms were in place to address the growing economic challenges.
“The PDP calls on Nigerians to hold the Tinubu-led APC administration responsible for the remote causes of these tragic occurrences. For the umpteenth time, the PDP demands the immediate review of all suffocating economic and tax policies of the APC administration, which are bringing misery and death to Nigerians daily,” Ologunagba said.
The opposition party also extended its condolences to the families of the deceased and praised Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State, for his prompt response to the Ibadan tragedy.
“The PDP stands in solidarity with the affected families and calls on the government to prioritize the welfare of its citizens by addressing the root causes of these tragedies,” the statement concluded.
The recent stampedes have sparked widespread public outrage, with many Nigerians echoing the PDP’s concerns and demanding urgent reforms to alleviate the economic strain on the populace. As the nation mourns, attention turns to the federal government for decisive action to prevent further tragedies.
