Free Rice: Peter Obi Blames Stampedes On Harsh Economy

Opposition leader and former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has stated that the recent loss of lives due to stampedes in rice distribution centers across the country was a result of “harsh economic” situations.

LEADERSHIP reports that many lives were lost in the Okija area of Anambra State and about 10 persons stampeded to death at a Catholic church in Abuja while struggling to get rice on Saturday.

Saturday’s incident occurred just days after 35 children were also stampede to death in Oyo State.

Reacting to the incidents, Obi took to his X (formerly Twitter) handle to express grief and sympathise with the families of the bereaved.

He noted that harsh economic conditions have forced Nigerians to scramble for food supplies at the slightest opportunity, leading to needless loss of life in the process.

“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.

The former governor, who lauded the efforts of the organisers and distributors of the palliatives, however, pointed out that the harsh economy in the country has caused people to lose their lives while struggling to survive.

Obi wrote: “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.

“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. 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.”