Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari and his counterpart on the platform of opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar have both expressed profound sadness over the loss of lives at the APC Presidential Campaign rally in Jalingo, Taraba State today, Thursday.
Reacting to reports of the tragic death of some APC supporters due to the overwhelming crowd at the Jolly Nyame Stadium, the President said: “I always feel very sad and distressed when ordinary Nigerians who love me and our party because of what we stand for and have done, make personal sacrifices by taking the pains to show their support, end their lives tragically.”
The President appreciated the massive support he is receiving all over the country, even as he called for restraint on the part of his supporters to avoid such tragic incidences, and improved crowd management at rally grounds.
“I want them to stay alive and witness the dividends of purposeful governance that the APC administration will unfold when they renew our mandate.”
The President commiserated with the families of the victims and the APC family and prayed to God to grant peace to the souls of the departed and speedy recovery to the injured.
A statement by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, quoted the PDP Presidential candidate to have expressed sadness over the loss of lives.
“All Nigerian lives matter whether they are of the APC, PDP or any other party”, Atiku Abubakar was quoted to have said from Katsina where he was holding a rally himself.
Atiku also expressed his deepest condolences to the APC and its presidential candidate and the Government and people of Taraba State over the tragedy.
The PDP Presidential candidate prayed for strength and comfort for the affected families and for God to grant the deceased eternal rest.
