President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he is deeply pained by the death of his supporters in Jigawa State in an auto accident on their way to attend campaign events, a statement from his office says.
Four persons reportedly died and six others were injured in an accident involving party supporters who were going to attend All Progressives Congress, APC campaign in Jigawa.
The President also expressed his condolences to the families of two other victims who died in a stampede in Sokoto State, and assured that the sacrifices of the deceased will not be in vain.
According to the President, “The death of any party supporter touches me because these were poor Nigerians who made sacrifices to make Nigeria a better country by identifying with my change agenda.”
He stressed that, “I would never forget the sacrifices of these ordinary Nigerians who travelled long distances to attend my presidential campaign rallies.”
President Buhari noted that, “these ordinary Nigerians were the pillars of our democracy because without them, we, the politicians, become irrelevant.”
Meanwhile, following the unprecedented wave of popularity of the President’s outdoor events, the Presidency has ordered for increased structural integrity testing of all erections and fabrications such as dais, tents, stages, including electrical and other equipment.
Nearly two weeķs ago, PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, also had cause to condole with families of those who died on their way home from his Jos rally. He also ordered immediate support to those hospitalised
His statement read: We have received with sadness report of the loss of Mrs Christy Yelick Dungtou and Mr Donatus Morkwap, members of one of our support groups in a road accident on their way to Shendam after the Jos rally of the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar on Saturday.
Mrs Dungtou died at the scene of the accident while Morkwap passed away as he was being conveyed to General Hospital, Barkin-Ladi.
Mr Kwalmi Julius, one of the injured whose condition is critical is receiving treatment at the Plateau Hospital, Jos while the other two have been referred to Shendam.
The Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign is in liaison with an official of the support group who has confirmed that the corpse of the deceased have been deposited at the mortuary in Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
His Excellency Atiku Abubakar expresses his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased even as he prays for the speedy recovery of those still in hospital.
The former Vice President has directed his campaign organisation to spare no resource in ensuring that those still in hospital receive the best of medical care. He has also instructed that the Campaign takes care of the burial cost of the deceased.
The PDP presidential candidate acknowledges the great efforts and sacrifices of thousands of his support groups and millions of their members in our avowed commitment to Get Nigeria Working Again for the good of all and assures that their sacrifices will not be in vain.