CUPP states that Nigeria is now a place where citizens are engaged in a battle and striving for rice.

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has expressed deep concern over the recent tragic incidents in which 63 individuals lost their lives in desperate scrambles for rice across various states in Nigeria, including the South East, South West, and North Central regions. These unfortunate events serve as a sobering reminder of the distressing contradictions facing the nation.

Reports indicate that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command recovered approximately ten bodies following one of these shocking episodes, alongside numerous hospitalizations. In Anambra State, a stampede during a rice distribution event resulted in the deaths of at least 22 individuals from the Okija community. Additionally, an earlier occurrence at a carnival in Ibadan claimed over 35 lives, primarily affecting children.

In a statement signed by Chief Peter Ameh, the national secretary of CUPP, the coalition lamented the stark juxtaposition of Nigeria’s abundant agricultural potential against the harsh reality where citizens are compelled to fight for basic sustenance. “A country blessed with 39.6 million hectares of arable land… is home to citizens who die in desperation, struggling for a bag of rice,” the statement emphasized.

CUPP’s reaction underscores a critical indictment of governance in Nigeria, characterized by systemic incompetence and corruption. The coalition argues that such dire situations highlight a fundamental failure to utilize the nation’s vast resources to meet the essential needs of its populace. The struggle for a staple food item like rice indicates a severe inadequacy within the agricultural sector—a sector that holds the promise of transforming Nigeria into a breadbasket not just for its own citizens, but for the entire West African region.

This harrowing series of events calls for urgent reflection and action to reform agricultural policies and address the underlying issues of governance. Until such changes are made, the tragic loss of life in the quest for food will remain a poignant testament to the urgent need for systemic reform in Nigeria.