The presidency has criticized Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, over his comments on the recent tragic stampedes that occurred in Oyo, Anambra, and Abuja. According to Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Bola Tinubu, Obi’s remarks were indecent and lacked statesmanship and decency.
Dare stated that Obi’s attempt to score cheap political points falls flat, emphasizing that leaders are expected to speak responsibly and offer support during times of tragedy. He noted that President Tinubu cancelled all engagements, expressed profound sadness over the loss of lives, and ordered an immediate investigation into the incidents.
The recent stampedes have resulted in significant loss of life, with about 40 children dying in a stampede at a children’s fair in Ibadan, Oyo State. Additionally, a stampede during the distribution of rice and other palliatives at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja, claimed 10 lives. In another incident, at least 17 residents of the Okija community in Anambra State reportedly died in a stampede over rice palliatives.
Reacting to the tragedies, Obi described the stampedes as systemic failures plaguing Nigeria. He expressed concern that despite Nigeria’s abundant resources and fertile land, citizens were dying of hunger. Obi’s comments were made in a series of tweets on X.
Dare emphasized that Tinubu’s administration remains committed to addressing the economic challenges facing the country, with the goal of improving the standard of living for ordinary Nigerians. He stressed that the presidency will not be deterred by Obi’s comments, which he believes are an attempt to politicize the tragedies.
The presidency’s criticism of Obi has sparked a heated debate, with some Nigerians defending Obi’s right to express his opinions, while others have criticized him for politicizing the tragedies.
In a related development, Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has also criticized Obi, accusing him of being a hypocrite. Omokri claimed that a similar incident occurred during Obi’s tenure as governor of Anambra State, but Obi did not take responsibility for it.
Obi has since deleted his tweets on the matter, sparking further controversy. Some Nigerians have accused Obi of trying to avoid accountability, while others have defended his decision to delete the tweets.
The controversy surrounding Obi’s comments has highlighted the need for leaders to be mindful of their words and actions, particularly during times of tragedy. It has also sparked a wider conversation about the need for accountability and transparency in governance.
