Omoyele Sowore, the prominent Nigerian activist and politician, has condemned the recent stampedes that have claimed the lives of over 100 Nigerians in less than a week, describing the tragic incidents as a “genocide” fueled by hunger and economic hardship.
The stampedes occurred during food distribution events in Ibadan (Oyo State), Okija (Anambra State), and Abuja (FCT), with citizens desperately seeking basic necessities, particularly rice, amidst Nigeria’s worsening economic crisis.
Sowore, who has been vocal about the dire state of the Nigerian economy, pointed to these deaths as a direct result of the suffering imposed on the populace by the policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration since it took power in May 2023.
“Not less than 100 Nigerians have perished in less than a week in Ibadan, Okija, and Abuja just in search of rice; this speaks precisely to the debilitating economic destruction wrought on Nigerians by the @officialABAT regime since his unfortunate ascension to power in May 2023,” Sowore stated in his latest address.
The activist emphasized that these deaths are not merely statistics but a reflection of the extreme desperation among Nigerians, who are increasingly being forced into perilous situations due to economic instability. “If anyone didn’t know how bad things are and how our people are really desperate for survival, this unprecedented but unwarranted death by hunger-suicide tells the real story,” he added.
Sowore’s comments underline a growing concern that the lack of adequate government response to the deepening poverty and economic crisis is exacerbating the risk to Nigerian lives. The stampedes serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities many Nigerians face while trying to access basic resources.
In conclusion, Sowore issued a somber warning: “Nigeria is in trouble and Nigerians are endangered!” His statement calls for urgent reforms and a reevaluation of government priorities to address the pressing needs of the Nigerian people before more lives are lost in the pursuit of survival.
