The Southwest chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has extended its condolences to the government and people of Oyo State over the tragic stampede at a children’s Christmas funfair in Ibadan, which resulted in the deaths of several children and left many injured.
The incident occurred on Wednesday during an event offering free festivities for children, attracting an overwhelming crowd that led to the unfortunate stampede.
In a statement released on Friday in Ado Ekiti, PDP Southwest Publicity Secretary, Chief Sanya Atofarati, expressed sympathy to Governor Seyi Makinde and the bereaved families, offering prayers for divine comfort.
Atofarati attributed the tragedy to the difficult economic situation in the country, which he said forced many families to seek free entertainment opportunities for their children.
The statement partly read, “We are using this incident to call on the Federal Government to improve the standard of living in Nigeria. What happened is as a result of poverty in the land.
“The Federal Government should intensify efforts in ensuring that there is provision of adequate jobs for parents to be able to take proper care of their children and also to improve standards of living in the country. The event is quite unfortunate.
“The PDP in the Southwest sympathises with the people and government of Oyo State over the unfortunate incident and the accompanying stampede and loss of lives of children. We prayed that God consoles the families that lost their children in the incident.”