Sallah tragedy: Group mourns victims, faults Saraki critics
A group, the Kwara Rights Agenda, has faulted those criticising a former governor of the state and senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, Dr. Bukola Saraki, over the stampede in Ilorin that led to the death of some people.
It will be recalled that no fewer than 10 people died during a stampede in Ilorin on October 16, while struggling for gifts presented to them by Saraki and the Peoples Democratic Party.
The group, in a statement by its Coordinator, Babafemi Ifedayo, said rather than criticise Saraki, he should be praised for sustaining a legacy of giving instituted by his father and Second Republic Senate Leader, late Dr. Olusola Saraki.
Ifedayo lamented the death of the victims, saying it was unfortunate that there was a stampede during this year's Sallah benevolence.
He said, "Unfortunately, this sad and unfortunate incident falls into the political schemings of some disgruntled elements who, instead of mourning the dead, want to take advantage of the situation to rubbish the good deeds of a man whose watchword has been service to his people."
"This programme, unlike the impression being given by these opportunists, has been in existence for years without any untoward development."
Ifedayo added that the incidence was a coincidence, stating that Sallah was not the only time the Sarakis render assistance to people.
He said, "Those who want to capitalize on this unfortunate development will not remember that the Sarakis, right from the early days of late Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, have been giving scholarships to different categories of students, sending thousands of people on pilgrimage, feeding the hungry and housing the homeless.
"While we pray for the repose of the souls of the dead, we also urge those trying to make political capital out of the development to have a rethink and not discourage a man who has been doing all in his powers to empower his people."
Cloud Tag: What's trending
Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.
Ishola Abdullahi Ganiyu Taofiq Mustapha AbdulGaniyu Babatunde Ishola Babaita Olatunji Ibrahim Abdulganiyu Salahudeen Azeez Bello Suleiman Ajadi Saadu Alanamu John Mayokun Dada Age AbdulKareem Olokoba Abdullahi Ayinla Olatunji Abdulmumeen Ibrahim Labaika VADA Oke-Oyi Ilorin Curfew Popo-Igbonna Yomi Adeboye Iyabo Adewuyi Kunbi Titiloye Atiku Abubakar Manzuma Veterinary Teaching Hospital Kwara State Fish Farmers Association Suleiman Mora Omar Abdullahi Atanda Bola Magaji Yahaya Seriki Gambari Wahab Abayawo Code Of Conduct Bureau Ahman Pategi Muritala Awodun Nigerian Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs Oja-Oba Adekunle David Dunmade National Association Of Nigerian Students Muideen Olaniyi Alalade Kwara State Football Association Senior Staff Union Of Colleges Of Education Maryam A. Garuba March 28 Bamidele Aluko Eleja Taiwo Banu Baaziki Sulaiman Eleja Lanwa Towobola Abdulrahman Toyin Kwara Politics Turaki Of Ilorin Mope Dasuki Belgore Abdulwahab Olarewaju Issa Bola Shagaya Nigeria Foundation For Artificial Intelligence Forgo Battery Company Limited Baboko Primary School Moses Adekanye Mohammed Saidu Bayer Nigeria Limited Folorunsho Alao Vishvas KOZ Tractors Shehu Salau Aisha Ahman Pategi Shehu Adaramaja LABTOP Saidu Isa Ishola Moses Abiodun Yusuf Amuda Abubakar Yahaya Abdulkareem Babaita Mustapha Akanbi Simon Sayomi Saka Aleshinloye Rachael Obisesan Bayo Lawal Abdulmutalib Shittu Aliyu U. Tilde Maryam Nurudeen

