Questions over Saraki’s annual Sallah stampede that has wasted about 50 lives so far bukola saraki...

With Wednesday’s incident at the Ilorin, Kwara State campaign office of a former governor of the state, no fewer than 47 indigenes of Kwara State have so far lost their lives in the last three years while queuing up for food and other forms of gifts from the former governor. About 11 persons were reported to have lost their lives while queuing up for food and other gift items at the “Mandate House” Campaign office used by Mr. Saraki, as presidential aspirant in 2011.
The deaths of the hapless and poor Nigerians during Sallah, celebrations, have already sent tongues wagging in the ancient city as to what could be responsible for the incidents, which occurred in rapid succession.
The floodgate of death opened on November 17, 2010 when at least 11 supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on which platform, Mr. Saraki, was elected governor, died in the premises of the campaign headquarters. However, the PDP leadership and the police claimed only four people died. About six others suffered serious injuries and were rushed to Sobi Specialist Hospital in Ilorin.
The victims were among supporters of the former governor, who, at the time a presidential aspirant, that attended a Sallah party organized by the State chapter of the PDP at the campaign office located on Olorunsogo area of Ilorin. They were reportedly on queue to get a share of rice and some other food items when they died in a stampede that followed.
In a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mas’ud Adebimpe and addressed to the state PDP leadership and the families of the victims, Mr. Saraki expressed shock and sorrow over the sad event, saying “the deceased would be greatly missed by both the party and their families.”
He described the death of the PDP stalwarts as a painful one as well as a great loss to the state.
Besides, the former governor also dispatched a high powered government delegation to commiserate with the families of the victims, while the government said it had taken up the bills of those receiving treatment in the hospital.
But again, on May 27, 2011, Ilorin was thrown into mourning when scores of PDP supporters died at a valedictory party held for the former governor, who had just won election to represent Kwara Central Senatorial District, at the same Mandate House.
Although, the numbers of those who died in the incident was disputed, no fewer than 25 reportedly died in the pandemonium that followed when thousands of the former governor’s supporters queued up to receive N5000.00 and six yards of Ankara clothing materials, which were to be used for the inauguration of the incoming governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed.
Among the victims were Zayadal Ayoka Galiu, Nimota Saliman, Fasilat Alagbo, Laro Isa, Titilayo Suleiman, Malau Jimoh, Kaliatu Oba, Rukayat Isiaka, Iyabo Isiaka and Afusat Maja.
Several others who were injured were rushed to the government-owned Sobi Hospital. The incident occurred when some of them, suspecting that the items might not get to them, jumped the queue, causing the crowd to become uncontrollable.
Following the incident, the party chiefs halted the distribution of the gifts. Mr Saraki, who had left the Mandate House before the incident, cancelled all his engagements the next day as a mark of honour for the dead.
Following that incident, the senator, as usual, sent a condolence message to the victims’ families.
In the condolence message he personally signed, Mr. Saraki said, “I’m deeply saddened to receive the news about the loss of some of our party members who were stampeded after the Sallah festivities at the charity house.
“Our party’s strength resides solely in the support from party faithful which gives us huge confidence always- it’s very painful to have lost these party faithful.
“I commiserate with the families of the deceased and pray that Allah grant us the strength to bear the loss and for those responding to treatment, I wish them speedy recovery. All other activities scheduled at the charity house have been suspended till further notice as a mark of respect to the departed.
“We appreciate the prayers, support and condolences.”
Before the second incident occurred, the state chapter of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, had fired a letter to Mr. Ahmed, who had just assumed office, demanding a judicial commission of inquiry into it.
In a letter dated May 31, 2011, the party’s former Chairman, Kayode Olawepo, who commiserated with the governor over the tragic loss of multiple lives, recalled that when a similar incident happened the previous year, the government refused to take any meaningful action, otherwise the 2011 incident could have been avoided.
The letter read in part, “As you will recall a similar incident at the same place also claiming multiple lives occurred last year during the Eid El Kabir season. No meaningful action was taken by the government then nor was there any official acknowledgement given to the incident. Perhaps if the incident had been investigated and recommendations made to address its cause the tragic deaths of 27th May might not have occurred.
“So as not to have a repeat of the incident and to demonstrate to the whole world that in Kwara State, we firmly believe in the sanctity of life, we hereby call on the state government to immediately set up a judicial commission of inquiry to probe deaths and the circumstances surrounding it.
“The commission should determine, amongst other things, investigate the cause of the deaths, who was responsible for them and how such an incident may be averted in the future.
“In addition, the commission should recommend where criminal offences appeared to have been committed prosecutions of the culprits. The proceedings and the report of the commission should be made public so as to win the public’s confidence in the process and to avert any allegations of a cover-up.”
But the governor didn’t act. And it didn’t appear the police investigated the incidents either.
Then came last Wednesday’s stampede triggered by the characters, doing the same things that had caused multiple deaths in the past. And the latest incident has left many people wondering about the real motive for the Saraki’s annual gift distribution ritual.
Angered by the ceaseless loss of lives in almost similar circumstances, public affairs analyst, Abdulateeph Adebayo, said, “Charity, even when politically motivated, can be better organized. This contempt for people and disregard for the sanctity of human life must stop. The media, law enforcement agencies and community leaders must help put a stop to this fetish evil carnage.”
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