APC Blows Hot, Says 2014 Immigration Stampede Under PDP Is Part Of Damage Causing Current Hunger Stampede
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for politicising recent stampedes at palliative distribution centres, which led to multiple fatalities in Oyo, Anambra, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
In a statement issued on Monday, the APC spokesperson, Felix Morka, accused the PDP of exploiting the national grief for political gain, rather than showing genuine compassion for the victims and their families.
Morka drew parallels to the 2014 Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) recruitment exercise under the PDP-led administration, where several job seekers lost their lives in a stampede.
He said the PDP’s record undermines its current criticisms of the APC-led government.
“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,” Morka stated.
Morka stated, “These tragedies have united well-meaning Nigerians in grief, prompting reflection on how better planning and organisation could have prevented such incidents. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.
“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.
“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,” Morka added.
Meanwhile, the PDP continues to hold the APC responsible for what it describes as systemic failures that led to the stampedes.
