By Kingston Magare
Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in 2023 election, Peter Obi has blamed the social economical melt down of the Nigeria state for the scramble for free food by citizens.
Obi was speaking against the background of deaths in Ibadan, Abuja and Okija as citizens scrambled for palliatives.
“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,” Obi posted on his X social media page.
“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.”
“While I will not cast blame but instead appreciate the organisers 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.
“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.
“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. May God Almighty grant the departed souls eternal rest, and may the injured recover swiftly.”
Meanwhile President Bola Tinubu cancelled his scheduled appearance at a boat regatta in Lagos to mourn the loss of lives.
“In a season of joy and celebration, we grieve with fellow citizens mourning the painful losses of their loved ones.
“Our prayers of divine comfort and healing are with them,” Tinubu said in a statement signed by his special adviser on information and strategy Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday
