The Labour Party (LP) has expressed deep concern over the tragic death of 67 people in three separate stampedes in Ibadan, Oyo State; Okija, Anambra State; and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, during recent events involving palliative and food distributions.
In a statement issued on Monday by its National Secretary, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, the LP attributed the incidents to the severe hunger and poverty ravaging the country, which it said have driven many Nigerians into desperate situations and contributed to rising insecurity.
Farouk described the stampedes as a grim reflection of the hunger crisis in Nigeria. “The stampedes in Oyo, Anambra, and the FCT, claiming 67 lives in just a few days, highlight the magnitude of suffering among Nigerians,” he said.
The LP stated: “As reported, about 40 children lost their lives during a stampede at a carnival in Ibadan, Oyo State. In Okija, Anambra State, 20 people died in a similar incident during palliative distribution by a philanthropist. Meanwhile, over 10 others died in the FCT when a Catholic church distributed food items to vulnerable persons. These tragic events, all tied to hunger, are becoming far too frequent.”
The party emphasized that the current hunger crisis is a dire epidemic. “Hunger is the worst epidemic a people can face. The World Bank reported that in 2023, Nigeria’s poverty rate was 38.9%, with 87 million people living below the poverty line. This figure has now risen to 40.7%, making Nigeria home to the second-largest poor population in the world, after India,” the statement noted.
Farouk lamented how extreme poverty has led to further tragedies, saying, “It is poverty that compels some Nigerians to scoop fuel from accident scenes, resulting in infernos with hundreds of casualties. Similarly, poverty and hunger drive the alarming rates of crime, including kidnappings, which have cost Nigerians $1.42 billion in ransom payments over the past year.”
He further criticized the government’s economic policies, blaming them for the worsening living conditions. “The economic reforms of the Tinubu administration have inflicted untold hardship on Nigerians. Inflation and poor economic management have turned hunger into an epidemic. Millions of Nigerians are struggling to survive,” Farouk said.
He called for immediate action to address the crisis. “The Labour Party had warned before the 2023 general elections that failing to shift from consumption to productive policies would lead to economic collapse. We urge the government to scale down its agenda for 2025 and prioritize food production. Over 70% of Nigeria’s land resources are underutilized, and the aquatic economy is in decline. Ministries in charge of these sectors must be revitalized,” he stressed.
Farouk also highlighted the government’s responsibility to protect lives and property. “The government must prioritize the protection of lives. It is disheartening that so many Nigerians die in their bid to survive. These statistics are alarming, and the government must stop taking Nigerians for granted,” he said.
Concluding, Farouk urged the government to urgently tackle hunger and poverty. “Enough is enough. The government must act decisively to address the hunger crisis and restore dignity to the lives of Nigerians,” he said.
