The tragic stampede that claimed the lives of about 35 residents of in Oyo State during the festive season is one that will not be forgotten in hurry.
However, for Seyi Makinde, the state’s number one citizen, such tragic incident is one that will not be allowed to happen again, but most importantly, the state governor has promised that his administration would not play leniency on the case.
Governor Makinde said the idea that Anambra State and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) governments have ignored the stampedes recorded in their areas would not deter his government’s effort to hold all those responsible to account.
It was on Monday, during the 2025 Annual Inter-faith Service held for State workers that Makinde spoke.
Make no mistake, one of the organisers of the Christmas Party was a former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Oguwunsi, Naomi Silekunola.
She was arrested after the stampede and charged with murder.
He insisted that irrespective of the social standing of all involved in the stampede case, they would be made to face the law.
The Inter-faith Service was attended by labour leaders, workers, political appointees, and community leaders, members of the judiciary and traditional rulers in the state.
Justice Must Be Done
The Governor said: “In the outgone year, we faced challenges. 2024 started for us here in Oyo State almost on a tragic note. On January 16, 2024, we had an explosion here in Bodija. It affected even my office. The impact was felt all around Ibadan. We’re closing it out.
“And then, towards the end of the year, we had the stampede at Islamic High School, Bashorun. 35 innocent souls were lost; may we not see such again in Oyo State.
Also Read: Ibadan Stampede: Kenneth Okonkwo Reveals Major Disadvantage Of Queen Naomi’s Detention
“Quite a number of people have been reaching out to me, saying, Oh, this incident happened in Anambra State. It also occurred in the FCT. Nobody went to jail. Why is it that in Oyo State, some people are going to jail?’
“I said, ‘Well, Oyo State is not Anambra State, and no matter how highly placed, justice must be done.
“The judiciary is here; it’s in their court. If you think you can grant bail pending trial, I have nothing against it. But for the trial, the people must go on trial.
“So, people come to me, and I’ve been saying to them, Oyo State, even if this entire country decides not to follow the rule of law, in Oyo State, we will follow; we will dare to be different. We will uphold the rule of law.”
