My heart bleeds, Peter Obi Speaks on Stampede in Oyo, Abuja, Anambra

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has expressed sadness over the death of several people in three different cases of stampedes in Oyo, Anambra, and the Federal Capital Territory.

In a post on X, on Saturday, December 21, the former governor of Anambra State also said he is distressed over the tragic loss of lives by people who are desperately searching for food.

“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,” Obi said.

Listing the different stampedes in Ibadan, Oyo State, Okija in Anambra State, and Abuja, the FCT, Obi said while he would not be casting any form of blame, there is a need to address the systemic failures plaguing the nation.

He said, “ 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. 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,” he added.

He further prayed to grant the deceased eternal rest, strengthen their loved ones, and give them the fortitude to bear the loss.