The candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Presidential election, Peter Obi, has described as “tragic” the loss of lives at the palliative distribution centre in Abuja and Anambra state on Saturday.
Obi, in a statement on his verified X handle on Twitter, lamented over the widespread hunger and hardship in the country, which he attributes to being the cause of people rushing to collect palliatives, leading to the loss of lives.
Obi’s statement comes after Chronicle NG reported that no fewer than 10 people, including children, were killed at a palliative distribution centre in Abuja on Saturday.
Chronicle NG reports that the FCT police command confirmed the incident, which occurred at a food distribution program organised by Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja.
It was also gathered that eight others sustained various degrees of injuries.
In the same vein, a stampede at the gate of the Obijackson Centre in Okija, in Anambra State’s Ihiala Local Government Area, on Saturday left an undetermined number of people dead and injured.
The stampede occurred during the distribution of palliatives, which included rice, vegetable oil, and money.
Speaking on the incidents, Obi said, “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.
“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.”
He noted that the widespread poverty and hunger, brought about by the economic policies of the federal government, has necessitated people to seek succour from well-meaning Nigerians who distribute palliatives.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“May God grant them, and all of us, the strength to bear these painful losses.
“May God Almighty grant the departed souls eternal rest, and may the injured recover swiftly,” he added.
