By Jonathan Odeh .
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for allegedly politicizing the recent stampedes at palliative distribution centers that resulted in multiple fatalities in Oyo, Anambra, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
In a statement released on Monday, APC spokesperson Felix Morka accused the PDP of exploiting national grief for political gain rather than expressing genuine compassion for the victims and their families. He drew parallels to the tragic 2014 Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) recruitment exercise, which occurred under the PDP-led administration and led to the deaths of several job seekers in a stampede.
Morka stated, “At a time when Nigerians are mourning the tragic loss of lives, the PDP has chosen to engage in callous political chicanery instead of commiserating with the victims and their families.” He emphasized that the recent tragedies have united well-meaning Nigerians in grief, highlighting the need for better planning and organization to prevent such incidents.
“It is deeply inappropriate, callous, and unacceptable for the PDP to exploit these tragedies as a means to attack an administration dedicated to repairing the damage caused by nearly two decades of PDP governance,” Morka added.
He further remarked, “Nigerians have not forgotten the tragic stampede during the Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment exercise in 2014 at the Abuja stadium, which occurred under the PDP administration and resulted in many deaths and injuries among desperate job seekers. The PDP’s accusations only serve as a reminder of its dismal record of mismanagement and incompetence.”
In response, the PDP continues to hold the APC accountable for what it describes as systemic failures that led to the recent stampedes.
