While rumours that food items distributed by First Lady Patience Jonathan at an event in Bayelsa state continues to make rounds, more depressing news have emanated from the state, as two kids have been reported dead in a stampede that greeted the coming of Mrs Jonathan.
The kids were killed in a stampede caused by armed security men including men of the Joint Task Force, who freely use teargas to dismiss the crowd from some areas at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Bayelsa, at the programme organized by the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs in collaboration with the Bayelsa State Government through the MDGs conditional grant scheme and office of the First Lady.
While women were mobilized in thousands to meet the president’s wife, not all of them were able to receive the items said to be for their empowerment. The empowerment program was also alleged to have been turned into a campaign for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election by Mrs Jonathan.
Although the official ceremony had been performed by the First Lady and dignitaries had departed from the venue when the security operatives swooped on the multitude of women and ordered them out of the stadium complex, saying the goods would no longer be distributed due to night fall, The Leadership reports, citing an eyewitness, Beauty Igoniwari.
Sahara Reporters also reported that a woman who was at the stadium to meet Patience Jonathan expressed her frustration, describing the whole process as deceitful.
“We came from our communities since 5 a.m.; I have not eaten and stayed under sun and rain, and now they are sending us home with empty hands,” Preye Dressman said.
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