.’It’s callous to policticisea death of citizens’.
.As Ex-president Jonathan seeks support for victims
.Gov Abiodun visits Makinde, advocates govt, NGOs’ collaboration in palliative distribution
CYRIL MBAH, Abuja with agency reports
The Presidency on Monday criticised Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, over his comments on the recent tragic stampedes that claimed over 77 lives, including those of children, in Oyo, Anambra, and Abuja.
This was disclosed by Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Bola Tinubu, via his X handle.
Also, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has berated the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for blaming the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over recent deaths of people as a result of stampedes during the distribution of food items.
According to Dare, Obi’s remarks were indecent, stating, “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.”
Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has berated the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for blaming the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over recent deaths of people as a result of stampedes during the distribution of food items.
In its first reaction to the incident and the statements from the PDP, APC through its National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka, said that it is disheartening that at a time of national grief over stampedes in Oyo, Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory which resulted in the death of citizens, “the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seized the moment to engage in callous political chicanery.”
The APC regretted that rather than genuinely commiserating with the victims and their families, the PDP chose to politicize the grief of the victims by blaming the stampedes on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to score political points.
According to the APC, the tragedies have brought together all well meaning Nigerians in mourning and sober reflection on how the incidents might have been avoided through better planning and organization by all involved.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victims and their families but it is grossly indecent, insensitive and despicable for the PDP to exploit these tragic incidents in a senseless attack against the administration that has devoted itself to fixing the ruins of nearly two decades of PDP administration. “Nigerians have not forgotten the tragic stampede at the ill-fated Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment exercise in 2014 at the Abuja stadium, under the watch of the PDP administration, that left many desperate job seekers dead and scores injured. The PDP’s allegations only remind us of its sordid record of maladministration and utter incompetence.
“The PDP is either mischievous or totally out of touch with reality to suggest that President Bola Tinubu-led administration has not shown commitment to Nigerians’ welfare. “For an administration that has invested hugely in alternative sources of energy and conversion of vehicles to compressed natural gas (CNG); introduced the Credit Corps scheme and Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND); reviewed workers salaries and corps members’ allowances upward; sustained annual free and subsidized transportation fares for Nigerians during the yuletide; approved grants for farmers and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and a slew of other humanitarian interventions, there is no doubt that this is the most people-centric administration in our history.
“Laughably, the PDP claimed that APC’s policies ruptured a “once thriving economy.” For years, successive PDP administrations operated a phantom economy wired with complex distortions and suffocating corruption while deluding Nigerians into thinking that the economy was healthy. “Changing course away from the lies and deception of the PDP, President Bola Tinubu embarked on the boldest and most courageous programme of reform to rebuild our country’s economy, and dismantling obstacles to true prosperity and sustainability. The economy is rebounding steadily now as reforms continue to yield wholesome dividends.
“We commend President Tinubu for calling off his scheduled activities in response to, and in honour of the victims of the incidents. Again, we commiserate with families that lost their loved ones and wish the injured speedy recovery,” the APC statement concluded.
Similarly, former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for support for the victims of the tragic stampedes that occurred during palliative distributions in Ibadan, Abuja, and Okija.
In his Christmas message issued on Monday in Abuja, Jonathan also urged authorities to implement measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Jonathan expressed sadness over the incidents and called for prayers and support for the victims’ families.
“The unfortunate incidents have left all of us in shock and sorrow. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends who have lost their loved ones and with those who have been injured.
“I urge the authorities to provide the necessary support to the victims and ensure that measures are put in place to prevent such occurrences in the future.
“As we navigate through this painful period, I encourage all Nigerians to show compassion and solidarity, especially during this festive season.
“Christmas is a time of love, unity, and hope. It reminds us of the importance of caring for one another and working towards peace and harmony in our communities,” he said.
He also urged Nigerians to embrace the spirit of Christmas by extending a hand of friendship to those in need and fostering unity across all divides.
Jonathan prayed that the season would rekindle Nigerians’ collective resolve to build a nation founded on justice, fairness, and mutual respect.
“Let us also pray for the wisdom, strength, and resilience to overcome our challenges and for brighter days ahead for our beloved country.
“I wish all Nigerians a Merry Christmas filled with joy, peace, and love. May the new year bring renewed hope and prosperity for us all,” Jonathan said.
Also, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has admonished Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), charitable organizations, and individuals who wish to distribute palliative aid to the people to involve the government to prevent a chaotic situation that could lead to the loss of lives.
Governor Abiodun, who spoke when he visited Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, in his office in Ibadan regarding the stampede that occurred in the city last week, said such an incident would not have happened if the state government had been involved.
“I am here on behalf of myself, the government, and the good people of Ogun State and the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF) to commiserate with the governor of Oyo State and the people on the unfortunate incident that happened on Wednesday, December 18th, where a good initiative turned sour.
“It is most unfortunate that, in response to the current realities, an NGO decided to share the joy of the season with the children, which led to the loss of 35 lives.
“I think that we’ve seen this trend in Anambra and Abuja during this yuletide period.
“I believe that what we must also take away from this unfortunate incident is that when private sector players, non-governmental organizations, and charities want to embark on such initiatives, they should try to work with the government. Because as a responsible government, we carry out such initiatives, and it doesn’t end like this because we have people who are charged with such responsibilities.
“They planned it to ensure that it is well implemented. So, one must admonish others who have such initiatives that a lot of lessons must be learned from what has happened, and we must ensure that we avoid such mishaps in the future,” Prince Abiodun said.
He stated that the Southern Governors’ Forum is pained by the loss, and as the Chairman of the Forum, his visit is to condole with Oyo State, saying that as a neighbor, anything that affects them affects Ogun State.
While praying for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives and for the families to bear the loss, the governor wished the people of Oyo State a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
In response, Governor Makinde appreciated his Ogun State counterpart for the visit, saying that it provides an opportunity for the cross-fertilization of ideas that would benefit the two sister states.
He mentioned that the two states would meet next year to have a Peer Review to see what they could learn from each other and leverage it.
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