Paul Ibe, the media aide to the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has faulted claims by the Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, that Atiku did not commiserate with the state over the tragic explosion that killed five, left many others injured, and also destroyed about 20 buildings in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
According to Ibe, following the explosion that rocked some parts of Ibadan, Atiku sent his heartfelt condolences to the people of the state.
Ibe said this in response to claims by Governor Makinde that Atiku had yet to commiserate with the people of the state, even though he was a member of his party, the PDP, when he received the candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.
However, in a statement, Atiku’s media aide stated that the former vice president had commiserated with the governor, the victims, and the entire people of the state after the tragedy occurred.
According to Ibe, Makinde’s failure to see and acknowledge Atiku’s condolences maybe because he was too busy and was not able to track media reports on the incident.
He further noted that the governor had sent his condolences a day after the explosion happened in the state.
Also, findings by News About Nigeria reveal that, in line with Ibe’s claim, Atiku had commiserated with the people of the state in a statement shared on his verified X account.
His condolence message reads, “I wish to express my condolences to the good people and government of Oyo State over the explosion that rocked the capital city of Ibadan late yesterday night.
“While the government continues to provide humanitarian support to victims of the explosion, I commiserate with the families of those who might have lost their lives and property to the explosion.”
Recall that the explosion rocked some parts of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, on the night of January 16, 2024.
