By Raphael Okhiria
The Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP), has condemned in the strongest term the Children’s Day near tragedy that occurred at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium during the commemoration of the Children’s Day, organized by the Edo State government.
The CRPP in a press statement signed by its national chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor, stated that the pandemonium has “again exposed Governor Monday Okpebholo-led government as very weak and lacking in crowd control mechanism, and its failure to protect the children, especially the girl-child. It further exposed the government that prides itself as children and youth-friendly as mere smoke screen.
“The successful invasion on of the stadium by suspected cultists also belied Okpebholo’s claim to having totally obliterated cultism in the state. It is now obvious that he has much work to do on security in the state as cultism and other criminal activities still fester.
“Questions begging for answers:
1. Why should a government use non state actors such as Bouncers operated by private companies and are not trained for large crowd control to take control of a ceremony of such magnitude?
2. Why should Government House security personnel allegedly authorize the use of tear gases and pepper sprays to disperse unruly crowds that resorted in the pandemonium and the avoidable trampling of innocent students who tried to escape from the stadium.
“CRPP therefore demands an unreserved apology from Governor Monday Okpebholo and his government to Edo children and their parents over this avoidable calamity perpetrated by incompetent State and non-state actors.
“CRPP demands that the state government foots the hospital bills of the victims and also give them adequate compensations commensurate to their respective losses,” the CRPP added.
Dr. Samson Isibor
But in an earlier reaction to the incident, the Edo state government frowned at what it regarded as “some misleading social media narratives about the Children’s Day incident.”
A government statement signed by the press secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr. Patrick Ebojele, says “we hereby reject the sensational interpretations, spins, twists, and misinformation that were dubiously orchestrated to give the government a bad name.
“The stadium was filled to capacity with thousands of excited children who came to participate in the day’s activities. The turn out was unprecedented. All the entrances into the facility were opened for children to access the stadium. Some excited children resorted to unruly behaviour at one of the gates, an incident that led to some kind of stampede which necessitated one of the bouncers to deploy the use of tear gas to disperse them. In the cause of the pandemonium that ensued, few students sustained injuries.
“The Deputy Governor, Rt Hon. Dennis Idahosa who was physically present at the stadium, rose to the challenge immediately assisting children with first aids; and those requiring further care were taken to the Edo Specialist Hospital where they received appropriate medical attention and are now safely back home with their families.
“The Edo State government has already authorised investigations into the incident while the bouncer involved is presently being interrogated by the Police to ascertain the immediate or remote cause of the incident. The government wishes to restate its commitment to the safety and security of all including our children. We however call on social media users to refrain from unverified narratives that could cause unnecessary panic.
“Isolated incidents at large gatherings, while regrettable, do not diminish Governor Okpebholo’s commitment to child safety and wellbeing. The Governor’s unparalleled investment in education is the reason for the huge attendance by students of different schools in the state to celebrate Children’s Day.
“We thank the security personnel, medical staff, and volunteers for their swift response and
dedication to duty. Their immediate response helped to douse the tension,” the statement added.