Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has expressed profound sadness and concern over the recent deadly stampedes in Oyo, Anambra, and Abuja.
The stampedes, which occurred during the distribution of food palliatives, have resulted in significant loss of life and have prompted serious questions about Nigeria’s system and its ability to address basic needs.
In Oyo State, reports have revealed that at least 40 children tragically lost their lives in a stampede during a children’s funfair in Ibadan, the state capital. The incident, which occurred earlier this week, has sent shockwaves across the country.
A similar tragedy unfolded on Saturday in Abuja, where 10 people were confirmed dead in a stampede during the distribution of rice and other palliatives at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in the Maitama area.
Meanwhile, in Anambra State, at least 17 people died in another stampede when residents of Okija community scrambled for food aid. The incidents have left families in mourning and raised alarms about the state of Nigeria’s food security and social welfare systems.
In the wake of these disasters, Peter Obi took to social media to share his grief and frustration. He used a series of tweets to describe the stampedes as reflections of systemic failures within Nigeria’s society.
Obi began by expressing his sorrow over the events, saying, “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.”
He continued, “This morning, reports emerged of at least 10 people losing their lives in Abuja while scrambling for palliatives, with many others injured.”
Obi further added, “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.”
He did not shy away from pointing out the larger issue that these tragedies expose: the failure of systems designed to protect the most vulnerable citizens. “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,” Obi wrote.
Obi, known for his criticisms of Nigeria’s economic policies, further questioned the nation’s leadership for allowing such a situation to unfold. “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 observed.
He challenged the logic behind these recurring incidents, asking, “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?”
Peter Obi’s remarks highlighted the disconnect between Nigeria’s natural wealth and its citizens’ access to basic needs. His words resonated with many Nigerians who are increasingly frustrated by the country’s inability to properly distribute resources and combat widespread poverty.
Despite his disappointment, Obi refrained from blaming the organisers of the food distribution events. He acknowledged their efforts and commended them for stepping in to support those in need. However, he made it clear that these stampedes were indicative of a much deeper problem—one that cannot be solved by short-term fixes or charity alone.
Obi’s call for systemic reform has long been a theme of his political messaging, and this tragic series of events has only intensified his demand for better governance and stronger social safety nets. “One can only imagine the pain their families are enduring at this moment,” he said as he commiserated with the victims’ families. “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.”
As Obi continued, his words became more prayerful, with a tone of solidarity and hope. “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.
The stampedes have drawn attention to Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with hunger and poverty, despite the country’s rich natural resources. While the Nigerian government has introduced food palliative measures in response to the economic hardships faced by many, these tragedies illustrate the deep challenges of managing such a large, diverse population under strained economic conditions.
Nigeria’s food distribution system has long been criticized for inefficiency and poor planning. Palliatives, which are intended to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable citizens, often fall short of reaching those who need them most. The tragic stampedes are a stark reminder that, in many parts of the country, hunger and desperation have reached critical levels.
The stampede in Ibadan, which claimed the lives of 40 children, has been described as a particularly devastating blow. Children, who were supposed to be enjoying a funfair, lost their lives in a chaotic and unsafe environment. Many have asked why proper crowd control measures were not in place to prevent such a tragedy.
Similarly, in Abuja, the stampede during a palliative distribution event in Maitama raised questions about the adequacy of emergency planning and crowd management at these charitable gatherings. The deaths in Okija, Anambra, highlighted the dangers faced by residents as they scrambled to receive food aid, demonstrating the extreme measures people will take when they feel desperate.
These incidents have sparked calls for better planning, stronger governance, and more effective distribution of resources. Critics argue that while the government continues to spend money on relief programmes, there has been little done to address the root causes of poverty and food insecurity in the country.
