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Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has expressed profound sorrow over the tragic deaths resulting from stampedes in Oyo State, Anambra State, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, December 21, the former governor of Anambra State lamented the loss of lives as people desperately searched for food amid harsh economic conditions.
“I am deeply saddened and distressed by the tragic loss of lives in desperate searches for food,” Obi wrote. “A few days ago, about 35 people, mostly children, lost their lives in a stampede at a Christmas Funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State. This morning, reports emerged of at least 10 people losing their lives in Abuja while scrambling for palliatives, with many others injured. Now, I just heard that about 19 more lives were lost in another stampede in Okija, Anambra State, as people struggled to receive food items.”
Obi highlighted the systemic failures underlying these incidents, calling for urgent action. “While I am not casting blame, it is clear that 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,” he said.
He questioned why hunger persists in a country blessed with abundant natural resources and vast, fertile lands.
“How do we explain that in a nation blessed with abundant resources, our people are dying of hunger in such numbers? 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 extended his condolences to the victims’ families and the communities affected by the tragedies in Oyo, Anambra, and the FCT.
“One can only imagine the pain their families are enduring at this moment. My heart goes out to them. I sincerely commiserate with all the affected families and the good people of Oyo, Anambra, and the FCT over these tragic incidents.”
Concluding his statement, Obi prayed for the deceased, asking for divine strength and comfort for their loved ones: “May God grant the deceased eternal rest and strengthen their loved ones with the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”