The presidential rally of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Tuesday afternoon, ended on a sad note as scores, including a pregnant woman, were trampled to death following a stampede.
The unfortunate incident was caused by men of the Nigerian Police Force, theportcitynews can authoritatively report.
At least ten persons died with over twenty more sustaining injuries at the Adokiye Amiesimaka stadium at Omagwa, the venue of the presidential rally.
The unfortunate stampede happened before President Muhammadu Buhari gave his speech, theportcitynews gathered.
Reliable sources told theportcitynews that the people who died during the stampede were mainly supporters of the senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial district at the national assembly, Magnus Abe.
Several sources told theportcitynews that the stampede started immediately police officers began chasing senator Abe’s supporters over the fear that they might give President Buhari the same treatment meted out to him by supporters of the Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, who pelted the president and the chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomole on Monday.
One of the sources said “The crowd was not that much but some police officers began chasing supporters of Senator Magnus Abe over the fear that they will boo the president and caused the crowd to panic”
“It was uncalled for because no one came to the stadium to boo Buhari,” she said
Recall that the party in the state has been divided into two factions following the conduct of the party’s congresses in May 2018.
This culminated in a bitter lengthy court battle that ended on Tuesday.
Recall also that the Supreme Court earlier on Tuesday, struck out appeals filed by the Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi’s faction, leaving the party without candidates in the state for the 2019 elections.
Another source, a security agent said: “If the police officers hadn’t chased some people over speculation that they came to boo Buhari, no one would have died. The crowd was smaller than those who attended the rally of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Monday. It was very unfortunate”
APC Maintains Deafening Silence
Over five hours since the unfortunate incident happened, the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, has not issued a statement over the death of the party’s supporters.
Following the Supreme Court ruling, the party has been left with no official spokesperson. However, a text message sent the former publicity secretary of the party, Chris Finebone, was not replied and calls to his phone were not answered.
A representative of Senator Abe, Kennedy Friday, told theportcitynews on the phone that there were reported casualties but he was yet to ascertain what really transpired.
Buhari Mourns
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness of the incident at the party’s rally on Tuesday.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said that President Buhari is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives and extends deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
He also wished a speedy recovery to all those injured.
The President described the deaths as “needless loss of lives and an anti-climax to a highly successful outing” in the oil city that could have been averted if there was an orderly exit from the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.
“It is indeed a great tragedy that Nigerians who have important roles to play in shaping the future of the country and had come to see and hear from us how hard their government is working to build a Nigeria of their dreams, would meet their end in this unfortunate circumstance.
“I assure the people, with all sense of responsibility, that the party and the government will do everything possible to ensure the well-being and safety of our citizens as they troop out to attend rallies and all other political events,” the President said.
President Buhari assured the government and the people of Rivers State as well as the affected families of the support and prayers of the Federal Government during this difficult time.
The President prayed Almighty God to repose the souls of the deceased.
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