Niger Govt House stampede: Nigerians should not die seeking N10,000 – Atiku
Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), expressed deep sorrow Wednesday following reports of a stampede at the Niger State Government House that resulted in the deaths of three individuals. The incident occurred amid a crowd gathering, spurred by rumors that N10,000 would be distributed.
In a statement released by Phrank Shaibu, the Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku emphasized the need to remember the deceased as individuals with names, families, and futures, rather than reducing them to mere statistics.
“Three Nigerians reportedly went to a Government House and did not return home. I mourn them with their families. I pray for those who were injured and call for their immediate care,” Atiku said.
He noted the desperation that led individuals to risk their lives for a small financial aid, highlighting the significant pressure many Nigerian households face. “That people would rush towards the possibility of N10,000 tells us something painful about the pressure on Nigerian households.”
Atiku stressed the importance of ensuring that government assistance is administered safely and respectfully. “Desperation must never be met with a distribution arrangement that puts lives at risk,” he said. “Help offered in the name of government must be organized with dignity and with the safety of the people as its first concern.”
He urged the Niger State Government to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths, including an inquiry into how the event was announced and managed. Atiku also called for the provision of substantial support to the affected families and the injured.
“There must be no attempt to blame the victims for seeking help,” he added. “The question for those in authority is how three lives came to be lost at the gates of government, and what will be done to ensure it never happens again.”
As Nigeria approaches Independence Day, Atiku remarked on the broader implications of this tragedy, stating, “A nation cannot call itself prosperous while its citizens risk their lives for N10,000. We must make life affordable again and treat every Nigerian life as precious.”
