Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President, has slammed the federal and state governments over what he described as recurring failures in safety and disaster management systems, following two recent tragedies that have shocked the nation: a fatal road accident that killed 21 Kano State athletes and devastating floods in Niger State that have claimed over 150 lives.
In a statement released on Saturday night, Atiku expressed deep sorrow over the incidents and called for urgent, concrete steps to prevent further loss of life as Nigeria enters a critical phase of the rainy season.
“I am heartbroken by the news of the tragic accident that claimed the lives of 21 Kano State athletes returning from the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta,” Atiku said.
“These young athletes, full of hope and promise, represented the best of Nigeria. Their sudden death is not just a loss to their families and the people of Kano State, but to the entire country.”
He also raised alarm over the rapidly rising death toll from the recent flooding in Mokwa, Niger State, where over 150 people have now been confirmed dead after days of torrential rainfall.
“I have just been updated that the death toll from the tragic flooding in Mokwa has jumped from 21 to over 100,” he said. “This is a national emergency. My thoughts and prayers are with the grieving families, and I urge immediate and strategic intervention to prevent a repeat in other flood-prone parts of the country.”
“Recurring Failures in Governance”
The former vice president blamed the twin tragedies on Nigeria’s chronic failure to implement effective road safety and disaster preparedness measures, despite repeated warnings and prior incidents.
He criticized what he termed systemic negligence, stressing that unless governments at all levels take responsibility, such incidents will continue to recur.
“It is imperative that we enforce safety standards on our roads and develop robust plans to manage the risks posed by seasonal flooding. These are not new challenges; what is missing is political will and commitment to protect lives,” he said.
Atiku warned that unless swift and proactive measures are taken, more preventable tragedies are likely as the rainy season progresses.
Condolences and a Call to Action
The former vice president extended his condolences to the families of the victims, the Kano State government, and Nigeria’s sporting community.
He also urged national unity in confronting the dual crises of infrastructure decay and environmental vulnerability.
“These are painful losses. May the souls of the departed rest in peace, and may the injured recover swiftly,” he said. “But beyond mourning, we must act decisively to ensure such tragedies are not repeated.”
He urged authorities to adopt a national action plan on road safety and flood management, including better infrastructure, emergency response coordination, and public awareness campaigns.
The twin tragedies come amid rising concerns about the country’s preparedness for climate-related disasters and the continued toll of poorly maintained transport infrastructure. As Nigerians continue to mourn, pressure is mounting on the government to go beyond condolences and deliver lasting solutions.
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