Hardship: ‘It is heartbreaking’ – Peter Obi reacts as seven die in Lagos stampede

“This is another confirmation of our belief that Nigerians
are united by the circumstances of their living conditions, not by artificial
barriers raised by opportunistic politicians. We are now one people under
hunger.

“Just yesterday, I read with sadness the reports of how a
massive crowd besieged the Zonal Office of the Nigerian Customs in Yaba to
purchase the discounted 25kg rice offered by the Customs Service.

“In the course of the heavy stampede that ensued, some lives
were lost.

“It is heartbreaking to think that despite all the wealth of
our nation, Nigerians are losing their lives in their desperate quest to buy
food cheaper, in the face of the growing hunger and starvation in the country,”
he said.

Obi criticized the excessive expenditure on “wasteful items”
such as expensive renovations of already luxurious offices and residences.

“In all our adversity, our new leaders have resorted to
spending stupendous amounts of resources on wasteful items like ordering
expensive renovations of offices and residences,” Obi added.