A yet unknown number of members of the Kwara state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, died on Wednesday night as they scrambled for handouts distributed by former Governor of the state, Bukola Saraki.
A source said no fewer than a dozen people were feared dead.
Several others were injured in the incident which occurred at a venue popularly called PDP Charity House, which is near Mr. Saraki’s Ilorin residence.
Tragedy struck as indigent party members tried to outsmart one another as Mr. Saraki and other philanthropists distributed the yearly sallah gifts.
The dead and the injured were packed into ambulances and rushed to nearby hospitals.
In a statement emailed to newsmen on Wednesday night, the Publicity Secretary of Kwara PDP, Mas’ud Adebimpe, confirmed the incident and commiserated with the families of the victims.
He, however, confirmed the death of only four PDP members , with many others injured.
Mr. Adebimpe said, “The Peoples Democratic Party Kwara State chapter held its annual Sallah celebration at PDP Charity House where many party faithful were in attendance.
“The event which is an annual activity of the party went on smoothly until the unfortunate incident of a stampede, which led to some people fainting. They were immediately rushed to a hospital few blocks away from the venue.
“While some are currently responding positively to treatment, we however regret to announce that we lost four of our party members to the unfortunate development.
“Our prayers go out to the families of the deceased and we pray for the quick recovery of those that are responding fast to treatment.”
The yearly sallah gifts distribution by the Sarakis and the party have of late led to multiple deaths.
On May 27, 2011, several people died at the Mandate House, Ilorin, as they scrambled for rice and other items.
At least 11 others died in a similar fashion in November 2010, but only four deaths were also confirmed by the Kwara government at the time. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Hmmmm Nigerian politicians ! That is what they want. They will share our common patrimony among themselves and hands out peanuts to people they have impoverished in the name of charity to corner their votes and voice . May God open d eyes and heart of Nigerians.
ReplyDeleteEvil gifts. Gifts from hell. God help Nigerians from these vampires. The gift of does not add sorrow be warned, gluttoins. Work and earn a living and do not rely on any man for arms. A religion teaching people not to work but believe that only certain group of people are ordained by God to work and others to depend on those is evil and wicked doctrine. He that does not work shall not eat, just try something, take a step of faith. God will help you to get something out of the faith step.
ReplyDeleteWe are not all fools!. How will people begin to faint after collecting gift and at the same time change the story to stampede!. They were trying to hide under stamped. God will judge everyone whether rich or poor. All in the name of fame, power, politics, wealth people do all manner of ritual to achieve their aim on earth. This is more to it than stampede. We are only living in a lawless country, Saraki should be charge for homicide!
ReplyDeleteThere shd be a more orderly
ReplyDeleteway of sharing gifts not by scrambling