By joshua 
CRPP Condemns Children’s Day Tragedy In Edo, Demands An Unreserved Apology From Governor Okpebholo
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin city
The Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) has condemned in the strongest term the Children’s Day tragedy that occurred at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium during the commemoration of the Children’s Day, organized by the Edo State Ministry of Education.
In a release signed by Dr. Samson Isibor , National Chairman, CRPP, said the government should ensure full payment of the hospital bills of the affected children and those involved in the distortion of the celebration punished.
The Nigerian Post recalls that
some male students of a government secondary school that is notorious for cultism, invaded the venue and allegedly attempted to force themselves on female students, which allegedly triggered the use of pepper spray by Bouncers.
It was alleged that, over 50 students (mostly female) were seriously injured and collapsed in a stampede resulting from the pandemonium.
According to Isibor, ” the tragedy has again exposed Governor Monday Okpebholo-led government as very weak and lacking in crowd control, and its failure to protect the children, especially the girl-child. It further exposed the government that prides itself as children and youth-friendly as a mere smoke screen.” he stated.
“The successful invasion of the stadium by suspected cultists also belied Okpebholo’s claim to having totally obliterated cultism in the state. It is now obvious that he has much work to do on security in the state as cultism and other criminal activities still fester.
CRPP questioned the government on
“Why should a government use non state actors such as Bouncers operated by private companies and are not trained for large crowd control to take control of a ceremony of such magnitude?
“Why should Government House security personnel allegedly authorize the use of tear gases and pepper sprays to disperse unruly crowds that resorted in the pandemonium and the avoidable trampling of innocent students who tried to escape from the stadium.
CRPP therefore demands an unreserved apology from Governor Monday Okpebholo and his government to Edo children and their parents over this avoidable calamity perpetrated by incompetent State and non-state actors.
CRPP demands that the state government foots the hospital bills of the victims and also give them adequate compensations commensurate to their respective losses.