Veteran actor and former Labour Party (LP) chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, has called for the resignation of President Bola Tinubu and other current Nigerian leaders, citing widespread hardship and hunger as the cause of recent tragic stampedes in Ibadan, Maitama, and Okija.
Okonkwo expressed his concerns in a statement shared on Saturday via his X account, attributing the deaths and injuries from the stampedes to the dire consequences of the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms. He criticized these policies as being harmful to the dignity and well-being of Nigerians, asserting that they have plunged the country into severe hardship.
Stampedes Triggered by Hunger
The incidents in Oyo, Abuja, and Anambra States saw desperate citizens scrambling for relief items, including ₦5,000 cash and grains of rice, leading to stampedes that resulted in loss of lives and numerous injuries. Okonkwo argued that these tragic events are a stark reflection of the worsening conditions under the current administration.
“The deaths of innocent children and Nigerians in Ibadan, Maitama, and Okija communities… from stampedes resulting from struggles for ₦5,000 and rice is a manifestation that hunger and hardship in Nigeria under Tinubu are becoming unbearable,” he stated.
Call for Leadership Change
Okonkwo did not mince words in his critique of the government, accusing it of incompetence and corruption. He called for the resignation of current leaders to pave the way for what he termed “a new generation of leaders with a conscience.”
“The worth of a Nigerian life is reduced to ₦5,000 and grains of rice. If these incompetent and corrupt leaders have any sense of shame, they will collectively resign,” he said, adding that the patience of Nigerians is wearing thin.
Prayers and Warnings
While offering prayers for the victims of the stampedes, Okonkwo also issued a stern warning to the government, urging it to address the suffering of Nigerians before public discontent escalates.
“May the souls of the departed rest in peace, and may God punish and torture the souls of our demented leaders,” he concluded.
The recent tragedies have sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for urgent reforms to alleviate the suffering of the Nigerian populace. As pressure mounts, the government faces increasing scrutiny over its handling of economic and social challenges.
