By Iyabo Adebisi
Oyo State governor, Engineeer ‘Seyi Makinde says the death of some children in a stampede at a private funfare held in Ibadan, the state capital, was sobering and could have been avoided if due diligence had been done by the organisers.
The governor stated when he received leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-East geopolitical zone, who paid him a visit to condole with him over the deaths.
Governor Makinde declared that apart from cancelling a birthday lecture planned in his honour in Ebonyi State, he had decided to cancel his birthday party on 25th of December to honour the departed souls.
The governor appreciated the South-East PDP leaders led by the chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees and former Senate President, Dr Adolphus Wabara, for their show of love and for letting the residents of Oyo State know that “they are not alone in these sad times.”
Those in the South-East PDP delegation also include a former governor of Ebonyi State, Dr Sam Egwu; a former National Secretary of the PDP, Senator Ben Obi; a former National Woman Leader of the PDP, Iyom Josephine Anenih; new National Secretary of the PDP, Chief SKE Udeokoye; PDP National Vice Chairman (South-East), Chief Ali Odefa; Chief Obasi Elebi and the Ebonyi State PDP chairman, Chief Onyema Nwele.
The governor said: “We flew into Abuja and planned to be on our way to Ebonyi, when the sad event started unfolding on Wednesday. First, we had to secure the place. I sent the security people in there.
“The most painful part for me was that this incident could have been avoided altogether and the deceased are innocent children.
“By the time I got to Abuja and I got the full report, I said there was no way we could go on to Ebonyi. But I appreciate all the arrangements and commitment that we were able to see, from my able leader and former National Secretary, Senator Ben Obi.
“The love from the South-East is not lost on me and the people of Oyo State. I really want to say thank you for the love. You are the first set of leaders that came physically to commiserate with the Government and the people of Oyo State for that unfortunate incident.
“Yes, some people have called, reached out but in terms of physical presence, you are the first. That will not be lost on the people of Oyo State.
“This is not a day for long speeches; it is a day that is really sobering for me personally. Not only did I cancel the event in Ebonyi, I told everyone that I would stay indoors on my birthday. There is no party; I have sent the message out.
“It has been a difficult year, really. Early in the year, we had the Bodija explosion. We managed through quite a bit. But we are strengthened by the show of support for us, to let us know that we are not alone in facing all of these.
“So, on behalf of the government and the people of Oyo State, we want to appreciate you for coming to commiserate with us and to let us know we are not alone.”
Earlier, Dr Wabara, expressed the condolences of the South-East PDP to Governor Makinde, noting that the governor is much loved in the South-East and the PDP leaders have chosen to visit to commiserate with him and the people of the state.
Dr Waraba however advised the new National Secretary to be firm and to provide leadership, saying: “For the newly-minted PDP National Secretary, I wrote to the BOT that fair is fair and we also said we should respect whatever it is that the South-East would love to have. I am glad that the court has made its pronouncement. That is the last hope of the common man. Congratulations.
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