Guilty Conscience?: Tinubu Cancels Events After Stampede Across Country Over Palliatives

President Bola Tinubu has cancelled all his official events in Lagos State today in honour of the stampede victims in Abuja and Anambra state.

Osun Defender reports that no fewer than ten people, including children, died in a stampede that occurred at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja while an unconfirmed number of residents of Okija community in Anambra lost their lives in another stampede during the distribution of rice on Saturday morning.

READ ALSO

•Many Feared Dead In Abuja Stampede

•Ibadan Stampede: Old Students Demand Release Of Detained School Principal

Describing the incidents as “avoidable,” the president cancelled his outings for the day in honour of the victims of the stampedes.

“President Bola Tinubu cancelled all his official events in Lagos today, including his attendance at the 2024 Lagos Boat Regatta in honour of the stampede victims in Abuja and Okija, Anambra State,” presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said in a statement on Saturday afternoon, hours after the incidents which have left the nation in shock.

Onanuga said his principal was scheduled to watch the boat parade and other activities of the 2024 Lagos Boat Regatta from the waterfront of his Queen’s Drive residence in Ikoyi.

“Dignitaries, including top officials of the Lagos State government and white cap chiefs from the State, were already seated when the President cancelled his appearance following briefings on the tragedies,” he said.

Tinubu wants organisers of similar programmes and “relevant authorities to enforce strict crowd control measures immediately”.

The president mandated authorities not to tolerate operational lapses by organisations during charitable activities.

“He reiterated that these mishaps are avoidable if event planners adhere to necessary safeguards and protocols to ensure pre- and post-event safety,” the presidential spokesman said, passing his principal’s condolence to the victims of the incidents.

”In a season of joy and celebration, we grieve with fellow citizens mourning the painful losses of their loved ones. Our prayers of divine comfort and healing are with them,” President Tinubu said.