The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has condoled with the families of Nigerians who died in the stampedes that took place in Ibadan, Abuja, and Anambra State, saying the tragic events underscored the level of poverty that the ruling All Progressives Congress under President Bola Tinubu has fostered for Nigerians in the last 19 months following the removal of the fuel subsidy and the implementation of other unpopular policies that have impacted negatively on the citizenry.
In a statement signed by the acting National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Muhammed Ishaq, and made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Abuja on Sunday, while holding the Federal Government accountable for the unfortunate incidents, said leaders at various levels of governance should wake up slumber and take immediate and concrete actions to address the root causes of “these tragically preventable incidents” .
“The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) extends its heartfelt condolences to the families and communities of the victims of the tragic stampedes that took place during the funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State, as well as in Abuja and Anambra during food distribution events. These devastating incidents, especially those in Abuja and Anambra, starkly highlight the alarming conditions that many Nigerians are compelled to face.
“The scenes of chaos and panic at these gatherings underline the extreme poverty and desperation that exist in our society, conditions that have been exacerbated by years of persistent and systemic misgovernance.
“While we mourn the lives lost and share in the grief of affected communities, we must also recognise that these tragedies are indicative of a societal crisis. The alarming frequency of such incidents calls for a moment of serious reflection by all levels of government and society at large. The happenings expose a failure to prioritise the welfare and safety of citizens amidst increasingly dire socio-economic conditions.
“The PRP holds the Federal Government and its leadership, particularly President Ahmed Bola, accountable for the escalating hardships that millions of Nigerians are now enduring, following the removal of the fuel subsidy and implementation of other policies that have disproportionately impacted the most vulnerable among us. Such anti-people policies have plunged countless families into abject poverty, forcing them to make desperate choices just to survive.
“It is imperative that our leaders awaken from their lingering slumber and take immediate, concrete actions to address the root causes of these tragically preventable incidents. This is not just a call for better governance but a clarion call for the protection of human dignity and life. The time has come for our leaders to listen to the cries of the people and to prioritise policy measures that uplift rather than undermine the basic rights and livelihoods of Nigerian citizens.
“Next, in this press release on the unfortunate disaster that has engulfed our nation, we will felicitate with our Christian brothers during this Christmas season. We wish all our Christian brethren across the nation a Merry Christmas and beg of them all to pray for the repose of the souls of the unfortunate Nigerians who lost their lives in trying to get what to eat in children’s funfairs and distribution of palliatives.
“We call upon the government to implement measures that prevent Nigerians from becoming beggars in a land so richly blessed and to ensure the safety of citizens at public gatherings. Reversing the ill-thought policies of the Tinubu Administration and bringing sustainable policies that will alleviate poverty and provide for the basic needs of our people is what the PRP demands.
“We equally strongly advise and call on the Nigerian electorates to, at every next opportunity, vote out the APC and its twin sister, the PDP, that have brought poverty and misery to our lives. 26 years is long enough to prove to all that the said political parties can not deliver this nation to the promised land. The electorates must do better with their votes and do so immediately.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families who are grieving during this difficult time,” the statement concluded.
READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE