The All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a strong statement addressing the recent tragic stampedes that have resulted in numerous fatalities during food distribution events across Nigeria. In a press release, the party's National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, accused the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of politicizing these tragedies while highlighting the historical context of the ongoing hunger crisis.
The APC emphasized that the recent stampedes, which have claimed at least 67 lives in various locations including Ibadan and Abuja, are not merely isolated incidents but are symptomatic of deeper systemic issues rooted in past governance failures. Morka pointed to the 2014 immigration recruitment stampede, which occurred under the PDP administration and resulted in multiple deaths and injuries among desperate job seekers. He stated, "Nigerians have not forgotten the tragic stampede during the Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment exercise that left many dead and scores injured. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of poor planning and governance."
Morka criticized the PDP for using the current tragedies to launch attacks against the APC-led government, describing their actions as "callous political chicanery." He urged the PDP to refrain from exploiting national grief for political gain and instead focus on genuine solutions to the pressing issues facing Nigerians today.
The APC's statement also addressed the broader context of Nigeria's economic challenges, asserting that policies implemented by President Bola Tinubu's administration are aimed at reforming an economy previously marred by corruption and inefficiency during PDP's tenure. Morka defended the government's commitment to improving citizens' welfare, noting significant investments in social programs and infrastructure aimed at alleviating poverty.
He stated, "It is either mischievous or entirely out of touch with reality for the PDP to claim that this administration has not shown commitment to Nigerians’ welfare. We are actively working to rebuild our economy from the ruins left by nearly two decades of PDP mismanagement."