The South East chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has canceled a birthday celebration planned for Oyo State Governor, Chief Abiodun Makinde, following the tragic deaths of over 30 children in a stampede at a funfair in Ibadan.

The event, organized under the Ali and Onyinyechi Foundation by the PDP National Vice Chairman (South East), Chief Ali Odefa, was scheduled to take place at Re-Meritona Hotel, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

Announcing the cancellation, the chairman of the occasion, Senator Sam Egwu, explained that the decision was made to honor the deceased and sympathize with their families.

Egwu stated: “My friend, Governor Makinde, had prepared to be here with us today. In fact, he sent an advance team two days ago. However, given the tragic incident in Ibadan, it is inappropriate for a state in mourning to have its governor celebrating a birthday.

“Some families, due to this incident, no longer know the meaning of Christmas. They are grieving, and it would be wrong for us to be rejoicing while they mourn. This is a painful but necessary decision.”

Egwu assured attendees that the event would be rescheduled, and a new date would be communicated.

Chief Ali Odefa, the event’s chief organizer, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy in Ibadan and the subsequent cancellation of the celebration. He noted that the occasion was also meant to launch a book about Governor Makinde, whom he described as a friend and leader.

“This incident hit close to home for me, as the location where it occurred is just seven minutes away from my house in Ibadan,” Odefa said. He directed that all posters and billboards for the event be taken down.

Representing Governor Makinde, Prof. Emmanuel Echiegu conveyed the governor’s condolences to the families of the deceased and the people of Oyo State. He also commended Chief Odefa for choosing Ebonyi State for the celebration and encouraged him to reschedule the event at a later date.

The tragic stampede has cast a shadow over the festive season in Oyo State, prompting mourning and solidarity from across the nation.

Human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi has been granted ₦30 million bail by a Magistrate court in Ekiti State.

The court also asked Farotimi to provide 3 sureties with a landed property within the jurisdiction.

He was told to refrain from media interview and to submit his international passport. The case has been adjourned till 13th February 2025.

Farotimi, who has been remanded in a correctional centre in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, arrived at the Magistrate Court premises around 9:45 am on Friday.

He was conveyed to the court premises in a prison’s van with a police escort, alighting while raising his hands up in appreciation of a cheering crowd outside the court.

His bail comes after the magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, had at the last sitting, reserved ruling till December 20 on the bail application and ordered that the activist be remanded in prison.

During the court proceedings, Farotimi pleaded not guilty to the 14-count charge preferred against him by the police.

His counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, had filed a preliminary objection asking the court to strike out the charge.

According to him, the charge before the court was unknown to law and the offence of defamation was not recognised under the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

Farotimi is being prosecuted before a chief magistrate’s court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State for allegedly defaming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afe Babalola.

The arrest of the activist sparked public criticisms with many Nigerians calling for his immediate release.