Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has insisted that the organisers of the Christmas programme in which 35 persons lost their lives in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, must be prosecuted.
Ibadan was thrown into confusion three weeks ago when thousands of people trooped to a public school in the city to receive a sum of N5,000 which an ex queen of Ooni of Ile-Ife, Naomi Silekunola promised to give to people. Mr. Hamzat Oriyomi, the founder of Agidigbo FM provided awareness for the event.
Even before the event started, people started pushing one another leading to death of dozens of people. The Oyo State Police Command initially arrested 9 people of whom 6 have been released.
The governor was asked in a programme what his government would do about the matter.
The governor responded firmly, stating, “Even if nobody is held accountable elsewhere, in Oyo State, the rule of law will prevail.”
Makinde said, “In the outgone year, we faced challenges. 2024 started for us here in Oyo State almost on a tragic note. On 16th January 2024, we had an explosion here in Bodija. It affected even my office. The impact was felt all around Ibadan. We’re closing it out.
“And then, towards the end of the year, we had the stampede at Islamic High School, Bashorun. 35 innocent souls were lost; may we not see such again in Oyo State.
“The judiciary is here; it’s in their court. If you think you can grant bail pending trial, I have nothing against it. But for the trial, the people must go on trial.
“So, people come to me, and I’ve been saying to them, ‘Oyo State, even if this entire country decides not to follow the rule of law, in Oyo State, we will follow; we will dare to be different. We will uphold the rule of law.’”
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