The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday clapped back at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), over its critical statements on the recent stampedes in 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.
Consequently, the PDP National Press secretary, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement saw the episodes as a reflection of Nigerians’ desperate attempts to survive under the President Bola Tinubu-led APC government, which it described as “insensitive, corrupt, and rudderless.”
“It is heartbreaking that the APC-led government has destroyed our once-thriving economy, causing millions of Nigerians to live in extreme poverty and hunger,” the statement reads in part.
READ ALSO: Presidency berates Obi for allegedly politicising death of over 70 Nigerians in stampedes
However, the APC spokesman, Felix Morka in a statement yesterday said Nigerians have not forgotten the ill-fated 2014 recruitment exercise into the Nigeria Immigration Service NIS which led to the death of some desperate job seekers.
He said at a time of national grief over stampedes in Oyo, Anambra and Abuja that resulted in the death of citizens, the PDP seized the moment to engage in callous political chicanery.
The statement reads: “Rather than genuinely commiserate with the victims and their families, the PDP chose to politicize the grief of the victims by blaming the stampedes on the All Progressives Congress APC-led administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The tragedies have brought together all well meaning Nigerians in mourning and sober reflection on how the incidents might have been avoided through better planning and organization by all involved. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victims and their families.
“It is grossly indecent, insensitive and despicable for the PDP to exploit these tragic incidents in a senseless attack against the administration that has devoted itself to fixing the ruins of nearly two decades of PDP administration.
“Nigerians have not forgotten the tragic stampede at the ill-fated Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment exercise in 2014 at the Abuja stadium, under the watch of the PDP administration, that left many desperate job seekers dead and scores injured. The PDP’s allegations only remind us of its sordid record of maladministration and utter incompetence.”
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