Peter Obi attributes the recent devastating stampedes across Nigeria to two major factors: widespread hunger and deep-seated systemic failures.
A series of deadly stampedes hit Ibadan, Okija, (Anambra) and Abuja within a week, claiming several lives and injuring many, with two of the incidents occurring on Saturday during charity food giveaways..
Obi, who was the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, said the incidents underline the rising hunger in the country which has led to desperation.
“I am deeply saddened and distressed by the tragic loss of lives in desperate searches for food,” Obi stated in a post on his X account Saturday afternoon.
“While I will not cast blame, but instead appreciate the organizers of these respective events for their kind gestures in providing palliatives and support to society, especially the poor, 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
“This morning, reports emerged of at least 10 people losing their lives in Abuja while scrambling for palliatives, with many others injured.”
Obi wondered why Nigeria which is “blessed with abundant resources” would have its people “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 said.
The former governor commiserates with the families of the victims affected by the tragic incidents.
“One can only imagine the pain their families are enduring at this moment. My heart goes out to them,” Obi said, wishing that the “injured recover swiftly”.
Obi further concluded by saying; “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,”
An investigation into the incidents is underway by the police authority.
