Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has openly criticized former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, for his apparent lack of empathy following the recent explosion in Ibadan. The governor’s comments came during a meeting with the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, who was in Ibadan on a condolence visit.
Makinde highlighted the insensitivity of Atiku’s silence, stating, “It’s insensitive for Atiku not to offer any condolence or acknowledge the tragedy. His silence sends a troubling message about his character and judgment.”
Expressing gratitude to Mr. Obi, Makinde said, “I am grateful for this visit, which was devoid of politics. Your presence here is to commiserate with us over the explosion, caused by illegal miners storing explosives inappropriately. We are investigating all lapses that allowed this to happen.”
Governor Makinde revealed that although he received calls from other prominent political figures, including the President, Atiku Abubakar had neither called nor messaged him. “This highlights that there is a time for politics, governance, and humanity. I openly say this so our leaders understand the importance of empathy,” he added.
Mr. Obi, in his earlier remarks, extended his condolences to the governor and the people of Oyo State. “We offer our deepest sympathies to the bereaved families and those who lost property. We commend the government’s prompt response – this is what governance should be about,” Obi said.
Addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges, Obi called for reduced governance costs at the federal level, emphasizing the need for sacrifice to move the country forward. “We must prioritize critical areas like education, health, and poverty alleviation. Post-elections, our focus must shift to effective governance,” he stated.
The Ibadan explosion incident has thus become a focal point in Nigerian politics, highlighting the need for empathetic leadership and swift governance response. As the situation develops, the reactions and actions of political leaders are under scrutiny, with the public seeking both immediate relief and long-term preventive measures.
