Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic stampedes in Ibadan, Anambra, and Abuja, attributing the incidents to growing hunger and systemic inadequacies in Nigeria.
Obi’s Response to the Incidents
Taking to his X account, Obi acknowledged the desperate circumstances that have driven citizens to extreme measures in their search for food.
“I am deeply saddened and distressed by the tragic loss of lives in desperate searches for food. These tragedies reflect the systemic failures that plague our society,” Obi stated.
Rising Hunger Amid Abundant Resources
Obi questioned the paradox of widespread hunger in a nation with vast fertile lands and abundant 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 lamented.
Commendation and Condolences
While appreciating the efforts of organizers providing palliatives, Peter Obi emphasized the need for sustainable solutions to address economic hardships. He extended his condolences to the affected families and wished the injured a swift recovery.
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,” Peter Obi wrote.
Call to Action
The stampedes, which claimed scores of lives and injured many, underscore the urgency of addressing hunger and improving systemic governance to prevent such tragedies in the future. Investigations by police authorities are ongoing.