The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has warned politicians against linking recent stampedes during food distributions in Oyo, Anambra, and Abuja to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms.
He expressed sympathy for the families of the over 70 victims, including around 40 children, who lost their lives in the tragic incidents.
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in 2023, had blamed the stampedes on systemic failures and the widespread hardship in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant, Rabiu Ibrahim, the minister said the incidents highlighted the need for better crowd management, especially during charitable activities in the festive season.
Idris acknowledged the goodwill of those organizing the relief efforts but stressed the importance of complying with the Inspector-General of Police’s directive to work with police for effective crowd control and security.
He emphasized that collaboration with the police and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was essential to ensuring safety and preventing further distress during such events.
Idris urged politicians and other figures not to politicize the unfortunate events, noting that similar incidents have occurred before this administration. Linking the tragedies to President Tinubu’s economic reforms is baseless and misleading, he said.
The reforms, which aim to promote sustainable growth, are meant to improve the lives of all Nigerians, especially the vulnerable, without causing harm, Idris concluded.
