The African Action Congress (AAC) party has blasted President Bola Tinubu over the death of no fewer than 65 Nigerians who were stampeded to death in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, FCT Abuja and Okija in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra state between Wednesday and Saturday during a Christmas party and sharing of free rice.
The AAC party in a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Femi Adeyeye, said that the anti-people economic policies regime of President Tinubu had “finally succeeded” in stampeding Nigerians to death.
The party said this as it joined Nigerians in mourning over the recent tragic stampede at the Ibadan funfair, which resulted in the death of 35 children and six others critically injured.
The party also mourned the death of residents of Okija in Anambra State, which occurred on Saturday morning with varying figures of deaths, noting that the incident has also thrown the country into a sorrowful state.
Adeyeye stated, “While we are still mourning, same unfortunate incident also struck in Abuja, reinforcing our stance that this is a nationwide tragedy caused by excruciating poverty, hardship and wanton deprivation.”
According to him, “These devastating incidents are heartbreaking consequences of the poverty and desperation inflicted upon Nigerians by the anti-poor policies of the Tinubu regime.
“To add insult to injury, since these incidents, the Tinubu regime has not constituted any measures including emergency responses to address this recurring menace.
“In other climes, a missing persons register would have been opened, a situation room where hourly updates on rescue and relief given to the grieving would have been opened too.
“Instead of acting like civilized people would, the President was in Lagos gallivanting with his retinue of sycophants, showing off his new jet and fleet of cars.”
He said, “The AAC demands justice and compensation for the victims and their families.
“While we are sure that no amount of compensation can blot out the grief experienced at this time, we call for a democratic committee, comprising representatives from working people organizations, to ensure transparency and accountability.
“We urge Nigerians not to be deceived by the condolence messages from politicians who have destroyed our country; who are responsible for the policies that led to these tragedies.
“Their words are nothing but “crocodile tears” aimed at exploiting the suffering of the people for their own political gain.
“It’s time for Nigerians to bond together to end this regime of pain and hardship.
“The AAC will continue to fight for a system that prioritises the welfare and well-being of the people, not just the profits of the few.
“We demand an end to the anti-poor policies of the Tinubu regime and the establishment of a government that truly represents the interests of the people.”