CurrentReport Blog The Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) has demanded the immediate release of three individuals detained in connection with the tragic stampede that occurred on December 18, 2024, at a funfair held at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan. The incident resulted in the deaths of over 35 children.
Those detained include the school’s principal, Mr. Abdullahi Fasasi; the proprietor of Agidigbo FM, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat; and Olori Naomi Silekunola, a former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
In a statement signed by its Oyo State Secretary, Comrade Ayodeji Adigun, SPN criticized the arrests and described the prosecution as a diversionary tactic, arguing that the focus should be on addressing the root causes of the tragedy, including systemic poverty and government policies.
Root Cause of the Tragedy: Poverty and Neglect
The party linked the stampede to worsening poverty in the country, exacerbated by what it termed “anti-people” policies of the federal government, such as fuel price hikes, naira devaluation, and the commercialization of social services.
Adigun stated, “The desperate actions of parents throwing their children over fences to secure a plate of rice and a bottle of drink at the funfair underscore the depth of poverty ravaging Nigerian families.”
He further criticized successive governments for relying on privatization and deregulation, which he argued have forced citizens to depend on wealthy individuals and charitable organizations for basic services that should be provided by the state.
Demand for Justice and Compensation
While supporting the call for the release of the detainees, SPN emphasized the need for adequate compensation for the families of the victims.
“The prosecution of the organizers is merely scratching the surface of the problem. The government must address the systemic issues that led to the tragedy, including the economic policies that have deepened mass poverty under the Tinubu-led administration,” the statement added.
Criticism of Current Policies
The party blamed the government for policies that have eroded the quality of life for working-class Nigerians, including privatization and the removal of petrol subsidies.
“These policies are a deliberate escape route for governments to shirk their responsibilities, leaving citizens vulnerable and dependent on exploitative billionaires and charity groups,” the statement read.
