FG to Nigerians: Don’t blame Tinubu for stampedes during food distribution

The Federal Government on Sunday appealed to Nigerians not to blame President Bola Tinubu for the death of Nigerians in stampedes across the country last week.

At least 62 persons have died in stampedes during food distribution in Oyo, Anambra, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the last five days.

35 children died in a stampede at a college in Ibadan, Oyo State during the week, while 17 people were crushed to death and many others sustained injuries during the distribution of rice by officials of the Obijackson Foundation in Okija, Ihiala local government area of Anambra State on Saturday.

Similarly, 10 persons died and eight others were injured during the distribution of food items to vulnerable and aged people at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who made the call in a statement in Abuja, also warned politicians against linking the stampedes to Tinubu’s economic reforms.

READ ALSO: Falana blames poverty, negligence for stampedes that claimed 105 lives

He was reacting to remarks by the Labour Party candidate in the 2023 presidential elections, Peter Obi.

In a statement posted on his X handle, Obi blamed the stampedes on hunger and systemic failures in Nigeria.

But in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, the minister stressed that the stampedes were in no way connected to President Tinubu’s economic reforms meant to reposition the country and give Nigerians a better life.

The statement read: “It is worth noting that similar unfortunate occurrences have been recorded in the past, before the current administration, as such, making any attempt to link these tragedies to the President’s reforms is unfounded and disingenuous.

“The reforms, while repositioning the Nigerian economy for sustainable growth, are designed to uplift the lives of all Nigerians, particularly the vulnerable without causing distress.

“The intentions of organisers of these charity events are meant to bring relief to vulnerable members of society. But it is crucial to put adequate crowd control measures by the organisers to forestall future occurrences and safeguard lives to ensure such efforts to assist those in need do not inadvertently lead to further distress.”

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now