Victor EzejaThe presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi, has urged the Nigerian government to release former wife of Ooni of Ife, Queen Naomi Silekunola, and other organizers of the palliative distribution program in Ibadan, Oyo State that resulted in tragic stampede.
Following the stampede that occurred during a children funfair organised by Women in Need of Guidance and Support (WINGS) Foundation, the Oyo State government ordered that the primary organizers including ex-Ooni’s wife, who is the leader, should be taken into custody while investigations are ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to the incident.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe tragic stampede at Islamic High School, Bashorun, which claimed the lives of 35 children drew nationwide outrage.
Similar incidents also happened at Holy Trinity Catholic Church Maitama, Abuja, where 10 lives were lost Okija Stampede: 19 Die Scrambling For Christmas Rice In Anambra and in Okija, Anambra State where not less than 20 persons died on Saturday, 21st December
READ ALSO: How Hunger Stampede In 3 Nigerian Cities Claimed 70 Lives In 48 Hours
In a statement via his official X handle on Sunday, Obi, while expressing his heartfelt condolences to the affected families, communities, and states in the stampedes, said the tragedies in Ibadan, Abuja and Okija in Anambra State were a reflection of the severe hunger and poverty currently ravaging the country.
Obi appealed to the government to release the organisers, stating that their acts of goodwill, which unintentionally resulted in unfortunate outcomes, should not be criminalised.
Obi said: “The recent arrest of the organisers of a palliative distribution program in Oyo State, spearheaded by the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, has come to my attention.
“I want to make a heartfelt appeal to the government to reconsider this action. Acts of goodwill, even when they unintentionally result in unfortunate outcomes, should not be criminalsed.”
He stressed that the initiative by WINGS Foundation was intended to alleviate suffering and bring relief to the people.
The former Anambra State governor argued that if the government must demand accountability, it should be begin with the leaders and policymakers whose cumulative actions or inactions have inflicted the hardship the people are facing today. “It is the systemic failure of governance, not the efforts of well-meaning individuals, that should be scrutinised,” Obi stated.
He underscored the need for the government to prioritise policies and actions that uplift the lives of the people.
“Let us redirect our focus toward creating a system where no citizen is left desperate for necessities. In doing so, we can begin to rebuild trust and ensure that tragedies like these are not repeated,” Obi added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
