Ezekwesili Blasts IG: ‘Humility And Empathy Are Missing In Food Stampede Response

Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has criticized the government’s response to recent stampedes across the country, describing it as evidence of their detachment from the struggles of ordinary Nigerians.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Ezekwesili condemned the Federal Government and its officials for their outrage toward philanthropic individuals and organizations whose food distribution efforts inadvertently led to the tragic incidents.

In a post shared on X, Ezekwesili questioned why government leaders have failed to acknowledge the link between their repeated leadership failures and the transformation of previously peaceful charity events into hazardous situations.

She also expressed solidarity with the humanitarian workers who have been charged in court over the stampede incidents, offering prayers for them.

Her statement read:

“Still on the food stampedes across the country. What’s with the self-righteous indignation and outrage from public officials and institutions towards philanthropic citizens and organizations?

“Is it so hard for the well-fed in our society to see that it’s actually the generosity and social safety net provided by individuals and organizations—both locally and internationally—that have kept the poor afloat?

“From the statements of @officialABAT, the IG of @PoliceNG, @nassnigeria officials, and their numerous senior, junior, and subservient public officials, it’s clear how utterly detached they are from the realities of everyday Nigerians.

“These self-indulgent elites live in luxury, blind to the desperation of fellow citizens who risk their lives for a simple loaf of bread to feed themselves and their families.

“How can these leaders not see that their repeated failures have turned once-quiet food charity events into dangerous stampedes?

“Don’t they realize that the massive rise in the number of people needing assistance has overwhelmed the capacity of humanitarian efforts?

“Humility and empathy remain scarce among our public officials, and that’s a tragedy. But please, stop vilifying those who are trying to fill the gap created by your failures.

“I hope the courts will act with wisdom and fairness rather than rigid legalism in the cases against benefactors whose goodwill unfortunately led to unintended consequences.”

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