Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives in a series of stampedes that occurred during food distribution events in different parts of Nigeria.
Obi, in a heartfelt statement via his X-handle, extended his condolences to the families of the victims and the residents of Oyo, Anambra, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, where the incidents took place.
“I am deeply saddened and distressed by the tragic loss of lives in desperate searches for food. 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 stated.
While acknowledging the efforts of the organizers to provide palliatives and relief to the poor, Obi described the incidents as tragic reflections of systemic failures plaguing the country.
“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,” Obi lamented.
He questioned how a country blessed with abundant resources and fertile land continues to face widespread hunger and food insecurity. “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 commiserated with the affected families and prayed for strength to help them bear the losses. He also prayed for the souls of the departed to rest in peace and for the injured to recover swiftly.
The tragedies have sparked widespread concern about the deepening economic challenges in Nigeria, with many calling for urgent government intervention to address poverty and hunger. Observers are also demanding better crowd-control measures during food distributions to prevent further disasters.
As investigations into the incidents continue, Obi’s message has resonated with many Nigerians, amplifying calls for sustainable solutions to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
