APC Accuses PDP of Politicizing Stampede Tragedies

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of exploiting recent stampedes in Ibadan, Abuja, and Anambra for political gain. The tragic incidents occurred during food distribution events and led to several fatalities, leaving the nation in mourning.

Felix Morka, the APC’s National Publicity Secretary, issued a statement in Abuja on Monday condemning the PDP’s response, which he described as insincere and opportunistic.

Morka’s statement was a reaction to the PDP’s assertion that the tragedies were evidence of widespread hardship under the APC-led administration of President Bola Tinubu. The PDP had labeled the incidents as a reflection of growing poverty and desperation in the country.

In its response, the APC expressed dismay at what it termed the PDP’s “callous political chicanery” during a time that should be dedicated to reflection and unity.

Morka remarked:

“Rather than genuinely commiserating with the victims and their families, the PDP has chosen to politicize the grief of the victims by blaming the stampedes on the APC-led administration of President Bola Tinubu.

“The tragedies have united well-meaning Nigerians in mourning and sober reflection on how such incidents might have been avoided through better planning and organization by all involved.”

The APC further reminded Nigerians of a similar tragic event during the PDP’s administration in 2014. During a Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment exercise at the Abuja stadium, several job seekers lost their lives in a stampede, with scores left injured.

Rebuttal of PDP Allegations
Morka criticized the PDP’s economic narrative, rejecting its claims of a thriving economy under past administrations.

“It is either mischievous or entirely out of touch with reality to suggest that the APC-led administration has not shown commitment to Nigerians’ welfare. Laughably, the PDP claimed that APC policies ruptured a ‘once-thriving economy.’

“For years, successive PDP administrations operated a phantom economy riddled with complex distortions and suffocating corruption while deluding Nigerians into thinking that the economy was healthy. Changing course from the lies and deception of the PDP, the economy is now rebounding steadily as reforms continue to yield wholesome dividends,” he said.

Call for National Unity
The APC urged Nigerians to focus on solutions to prevent such tragedies in the future and resist attempts to divide the nation during moments of collective grief. It reiterated its commitment to pursuing policies aimed at improving the welfare of all citizens.