The African Action Congress, Oyo state chapter has expressed sympathy to the families of children who died at a funfair in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Wednesday.
In a statement signed by AAC chairman, Oyo State Chapter Kayode Babayomi, the party prayed for quick recovery of injured victims of the incidents.
“The African Action Congress (AAC) Oyo State chapter expresses deep sadness over the tragic deaths of over 30 children in a stampede that occurred in Ibadan on December 18 2024, during an event where they struggled to receive Christmas gifts from the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of this heartbreaking incident. This tragedy highlights the numerous avoidable deaths we have witnessed in Oyo State.
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“We condemn the event’s organizers, partners and sponsors for their negligence regarding the welfare and safety of the attendees. They failed to implement adequate security measures to manage such a large crowd. It is clear that the organizers do not understand the material conditions faced by many in our community; calling for freebies or giveaways in this context leads to an inevitable overflow of people, especially given the current economic struggles faced by numerous families in Nigeria.
“We hereby urge the Oyo state government to take full responsibility for this incident. We demand that the organizers and all collaborators of the event be held accountable. Those responsible for this tragedy, including those involved in similar events, must not be allowed to evade responsibility, and the deaths of these children must not be swept under the carpet.“
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