The Labour Party presidential candidate during the February 25 presidential election, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians against engaging in deadly ventures and taking fatal risks in a bid to seek solutions to economic hardships.
This is coming subsequently after reports of an explosion that rocked an illegal refining site in the Ibaa community, Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State, among other fatal accidents that occurred over the last couple of weeks.
In a post on his X account on Wednesday evening, Obi emphasised that these tragic incidents are “very depressing” considering that they are not merely numbers, but human lives that will be missed by their families.
He further said many of the victims of the fuel tanker explosion were perhaps driven by hunger and the present hardship in the country, resulting from bad governance, saying, “Out of economic desperation, people have taken to unthinkable fatal risks.”
Obi wrote, “The series of mishaps that occurred in the country lately are saddening and of grave concern. These unfortunate incidents have claimed many precious lives of our brothers and sisters, within the past few days.
“Reports show that about 35 persons were reportedly killed in an explosion in an illegal oil refining site in Ibaa Community, Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State on Sunday night.
“And over 30 other people, according to reports, lost their lives following a tanker explosion at Koko junction along Warri – Benin Highway in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State on Sunday night.
“Also on Monday, a boat conveying 22 passengers from Kasabu village in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State to Yauri, Kebbi State, capsized.
“These tragic incidents are very depressing when you consider that these are not merely just numbers, but human beings, who will forever be missed by their grieving families.
“It becomes even more devastating when you understand that many of the victims of the fuel tanker explosion were perhaps, driven by hunger and the present hardship in the country, resulting from bad governance.
“Out of economic desperation, people have taken to unthinkable fatal risks. I strongly urge Nigerians to avoid such deadly ventures. We must, even on an individual basis, prioritise the safety of our lives and property, and ensure that we do not put ourselves in harm’s way.
“We all need to be alive to build and live in the New Nigeria we look forward to,” he added.
Obi commiserated with all the families who lost their loved ones to these incidents and prayed to God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
