Former Labour Party (LP) chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, has called for the resignation of the current crop of leaders in Nigeria to make way for a new generation of leaders.

This is as he blamed the hardship and hunger caused by the reforms introduced by the government of President Bola Tinubu for the recent stampedes which occurred in Ibadan, Maitama, and Okija communities of Oyo, Abuja, and Anambra States in quick succession.

Okonkwo, in a statement released on Saturday via his X account, said the Tinubu government has reduced the worth of Nigerian lives to ₦5,000 and grains of rice.

According to him, the struggle of the people to get rice to satisfy their hunger follows the hardship they’ve been subjected to by the harsh policies of the Tinubu government, which has destroyed their human dignity.
While praying for the souls of the dead victims to rest in peace and for quick recovery for those injured, Okonkwo said the patience of Nigerians is running out, saying Nigeria needs a new crop of leaders.

“The deaths of innocent children and Nigerians in Ibadan, Maitama, and Okija communities of Oyo, Abuja, and Anambra States respectively from stampede resulting from struggles for N5,000.00 and rice is a manifestation that hunger and hardship in Nigeria under Tinubu are becoming unbearable.

“The reforms are excruciating and destructive to the dignity of the human person in Nigeria. Nothing is working. It’s obvious that in Nigeria today, the worth of a Nigerian life is reduced to N5k and grains of rice.

“If these incompetent and corrupt leaders have any sense of shame, they will collectively resign and make way for a new generation of leaders that have a conscience to pilot the affairs of Nigeria.

“The patience of Nigerians is wearing out, and this regime should sit up before the people compel it to sit up. God will not forsake Nigeria. The day of reckoning will come one day.

“May the souls of the departed rest in peace, and may God punish and torture the souls of our demented leaders,” he submitted.

The Anambra State Government has expressed deep grief on the tragic loss of lives in the stampede that occurred during a rice-sharing event in Okija town in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state on Saturday.

In his expression of sympathy, Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, extended his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, especially the women, the elderly, pregnant, nursing mothers and children who lost their lives in this unfortunate incident.

The governor’s message was contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, and made available to Channels Television on Saturday.

Aburime stated that according to available information, the State Government acknowledged that the Obi Jackson Foundation, led by Chief Ernest Obiejesi, had organised the event with the noble intention of sharing relief materials with less privileged members of the community during this festive season. However, the resulting tragedy underscores the urgent need for a more structured and safer approach to distributing such assistance.

According to him, the Anambra State Government in a prompt action on the incident has initiated a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the stampede.

He added that the government will work closely with relevant agencies to determine the root causes of this unfortunate event and ensure that any negligence or lapses in safety protocols are duly addressed.

Meanwhile, the State Government has also implored all well-meaning individuals and organisations engaged in charitable activities to prioritise the safety and well-being of beneficiaries.

“It is strongly advised that future distributions of relief materials be conducted in a more organised and decentralised manner, with adequate crowd control measures in place.

“This may include establishing multiple distribution points within the community to reduce overcrowding at a single location; implementing a system to prioritise vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, children and people with disabilities; employing trained personnel to manage crowds, ensure orderly queues, and provide assistance to those in need; and conducting public awareness campaigns to educate the public on safety protocols during such events,” the statement added.

President Bola Tinubu has called off all of his scheduled events in Lagos today in solidarity with the victims of stampedes in Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).The tragic incidents resulted in the deaths of 10 people, including children, at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, and at least 20 individuals from the Okija community in Anambra, during a rice distribution event on Saturday morning.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that despite dignitaries and senior officials being present at the event venue, the President made the decision to cancel his attendance after receiving updates on the tragedies.

Expressing his condolences, President Tinubu called for stricter crowd control measures by local authorities and organizations involved in public events. He emphasized that such tragedies, including similar incidents in Ibadan, Oyo State, were preventable if event planners adhered to safety protocols.

In his statement, President Tinubu extended his prayers for the souls of the victims, a swift recovery for the injured, and urged relevant authorities to ensure better operational standards for future events. He also wished the Lagos State government success in hosting the Boat Regatta, a major festival, which was set to take place in his absence.