The Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Imo State chapter has blamed the Imo State government for the death of a 19 year old student of the Imo State University IMSU, in front of the institution’s gate.

The party, while commiserating with the parents, the university and all those mourning the student’s demise, said, it is the insensitivity and failure of the government to do the needful as regards taking  necessary measures to prevent the incident that led to the boy’s untimely death.

The PDP, in a press statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary Lancelot Obiaku, stated that, “Imo State Chapter, receives with sadness the news of the tragic death of a 19-year-old student identified as Chibuike Friday at the front gate of Imo State University, Owerri, on Sunday, following a road accident reportedly caused by an over-speeding vehicle engaged in unauthorized street car racing.

The party extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, the management and students of Imo State University, and indeed everyone grieving over this painful loss.

While reports have suggested that the deceased may have entered into a wager with another person over beating the speeding vehicle while he crossed the road, such an account, if true, does not in any way absolve the authorities of responsibility given that the said car racing in a busy and densely populated IMSU environment, being unauthorized and illegal, had been ongoing for several months without checkmate. The recklessness of a young person cannot become an excuse for institutional negligence”.

Blaming the state government for not doing the needful as and at when necessary, the party said, “It is instructive that concerned residents, students and other well-meaning Imolites had, on several occasions, raised the alarm over the menace of unauthorized street racing and dangerous speeding around the IMSU axis (a densely populated academic environment) with constant vehicular and pedestrian movement. Those warnings were either ignored or treated with indifference by the relevant authorities. Sadly, what many feared has now happened.

The Imo State Government and the security agencies must therefore accept responsibility for their failure to act proactively. Governments exist not merely to react after tragedies occur, but to anticipate risks, enforce the law and protect lives. Had the necessary preventive measures been taken when public concerns were first raised, this unfortunate incident could very well have been avoided.

We are equally particularly disturbed by reports of the State Government’s response to the recent tragedy through the demolition of shops and other structures around the IMSU gate, reportedly led by the SA to the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance, Mr. Chinasa Nwaneri”. 

The release further stated that, “While the government reserves the right to regulations where necessary, the reaction in this particular case should not be presented as the solution to a tragedy whose immediate cause was dangerous speeding and the apparent failure to stop unauthorized road racing. 

We must state that those demolished structures and wares did not cause the death of the young student. Their sudden demolition which got their owners to count losses of their livelihoods only adds insult to injury.

Rather than reacting after lives have been lost, the Government must become attentive, available and responsive to genuine public concerns. Regrettably, this tragic incident reflects a broader pattern in our State where many unfortunate occurrences stem from a government that appears increasingly aloof to its constitutional responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the people. Governance must not be reduced to crisis management after avoidable disasters have occurred.

The PDP in Imo State therefore calls for a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragedy. Those responsible, whether directly or through official negligence, must be held accountable. We also urge the Government to implement lasting safety measures around the IMSU environment and other identified and related spots across the State.

The life that has been lost cannot be restored. However, the greatest tribute to the deceased is to ensure that no other family suffers the same painful fate because of preventable negligence”.