The legal luminary and human rights advocate Femi Falana has ascribed poverty as the main cause of the stampedes that shook the country. Online Parrot News reported that stampedes in Ibadan, Abuja and Okija in Anambra State killed 35, 10 and 22 people respectively. They were mainly children and women.
While many people have reacted by putting the blame on the organisers of the events, the legal icon said that it was poverty that made several people trooped out to the events, which eventually led to stampedes.
He released a statement on Sunday saying that it’s time the country was reformed to safeguard the dignity and life of the people of Nigeria.
A former queen of Ooni of Ile-Ife, Naomi Silekunola had collaborated with the founder of Agidigbo FM, Ibadan, Hamzat Oriyomi to organise a festive event for children. 35 lost their lives in the event.
Likewise 10 persons died at the Holy Trinity Church, Maitama Abuja yesterday. People fought and struggled to get the Christmas package.
“There is also a sociological dimension to this national shame of episodic loss lives in stampedes triggered by mass hunger in the land,” Falana said.
“This should not be ignored. It is the unpardonable lack of respect for the dignity of the poor on the part of the members of the middle and upper classes involved in charity.”
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