The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has expressed regret over the deaths in food distribution grounds in some parts of the country.
At least 62 persons have died in stampedes during food distribution in Oyo, Anambra, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the last five days.
35 children died in a stampede at a college in Ibadan, Oyo State during the week, while 17 people were crushed to death and many others sustained injuries during the distribution of rice by officials of the Obijackson Foundation in Okija, Ihiala local government area of Anambra State on Saturday.
Similarly, 10 persons died and eight others were injured during the distribution of food items to vulnerable and aged people at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja.
Obi, who reacted to the incidents in a post on his X handle, blamed hunger and systemic failures for the stampedes across the country.
He wrote: “I am deeply saddened and distressed by the tragic loss of lives in desperate searches for food.
“While I will not cast blame, but instead appreciate the organizers of these respective events for their kind gestures in providing palliatives and support to society, especially the poor, these tragedies reflect the systemic failures that plague our society.
“The desperate quest for survival in this harsh economic time has driven our people to extremes in their search for food, often at the cost of their lives.
“This morning, reports emerged of at least 10 people losing their lives in Abuja while scrambling for palliatives, with many others injured.
“How is it possible that we cannot feed our citizens despite the vast, fertile lands our nation is endowed with? My heart bleeds.
“One can only imagine the pain their families are enduring at this moment. My heart goes out to them.
“I sincerely commiserate with all the affected families and the good people of Oyo, Anambra, and the FCT over these tragic incidents. May God grant them, and all of us, the strength to bear these painful losses.”