The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has expressed deep sadness over the recent stampedes that claimed many lives in Ibadan, Oyo State; Abuja; and Okija, Anambra State.
The tragic incidents, which occurred within five days, were tied to food distribution campaigns.
The latest stampedes happened on Saturday morning, leaving scores dead and many injured in Abuja and Okija.
Reacting to the incidents, Obi blamed widespread hunger and systemic issues for the desperation leading to the stampedes.
“I am deeply saddened and distressed by the tragic loss of lives in desperate searches for food,” Obi wrote on his X account.
He appreciated the efforts of the event organizers who aimed to provide help but said the tragedies reflect a broader problem.
“These tragedies reflect the systemic failures that plague our society,” he said. “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.”
The former governor of Anambra State lamented the country’s inability to feed its citizens despite its resources.
“How is it possible that we cannot feed our citizens despite the vast, fertile lands our nation is endowed with? My heart bleeds,” he added.
Obi sympathized with the families of those who lost their lives in the stampedes.
“One can only imagine the pain their families are enduring at this moment. My heart goes out to them,” he said. “I sincerely commiserate with all the affected families and the good people of Oyo, Anambra, and the FCT over these tragic incidents.”
He also wished the injured a speedy recovery and called for urgent measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Meanwhile, police authorities have begun investigating the incidents, which have raised questions about crowd control and safety measures during humanitarian campaigns.
