By Jude Opara, Abuja
The African Action Congress (AAC) party has taken a swipe at the administration of President Bola Tinubu following the death of no fewer than 65 Nigerians who last week died in the stampedes that happened in Ibadan, Oyo state, FCT Abuja and Okija in Anambra state during a Christmas party and sharing of free rice.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Femi Adeyeye, the AAC said the regime of anti-people economic policies of President Tinubu had succeeded in stampeding Nigerians to death.
Adeyeye said the party is joining Nigerians in mourning over the recent tragic stampede at the Ibadan children funfair, which resulted in the death of 35 children, 22 people who lost their lives in Okija as well as 10 others who also died in Abuja, all within a time of three days.
The statement said; “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.
“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.”
Adeyeye equally advised Nigerians not to be deceived by the condolence messages from politicians whom he said have destroyed the country by initiating draconian policies that have 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 party further demanded an immediate end to the anti-poor policies of the Tinubu government and the establishment of an administration that truly represents the interests of the people.
