By Abiola Olawale
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the recent wave of food stampedes occurring across the nation, characterizing these tragic events as a distressing reflection of the severe misery, poverty, and hunger overwhelming the populace.
The main opposition party said the situation is an indication of the hopelessness and desperation that many citizens are grappling with as they struggle for survival.
The PDP also attributed the crisis to an alleged insensitivity and lack of direction from the government.
PDP, in a statement by its spokesman, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, said that the party is devastated that the APC-led administration has allegedly wrecked the once thriving Nigerian economy.
The statement reads in part: “It is heartbreaking that despite our abundant resources as a nation, Nigerians have been subjected to agonizing life where they die struggling for food.
“This horrifying situation in the country further confirms the APC as a party of ‘political vampires and buccaneers,’ who have no iota of regard for human life but rather derive pleasure in the suffering and death of citizens including innocent children.
“Only this explains why the APC administration continues in arrogant, false performance claims, including empty assurances of food sufficiency while deliberately failing to make the required investments to boost the productive sector, particularly in agriculture and food production.
“This also explains why the APC administration has rejected all advice and suggestions by the PDP and other well-meaning Nigerians to review the hasty implementation of the suffocating policies of abrupt increase in the price of petroleum products and the floating of the Naira, despite the crippling consequences on the productive sector and life-discounting effect on the citizenry.”
The New Diplomat reports that in the last three days, at least 65 persons have reportedly lost their lives in stampedes that occurred during food distribution events in Anambra, Oyo, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In Oyo state, over 35 persons, mostly children reportedly died on Wednesday during a stampede that occurred at a carnival in Ibadan, Oyo state capital.
In Abuja, ten people allegedly died on Saturday during a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama.
On the same day, at least 20 people reportedly died in the Ojika community of Anambra during a stampede that occurred at a rice and gift-sharing event.
