Chief Onyemelukwe Eusebius Zonyelu, a financial expert and senatorial aspirant for Anambra South under the Action Peoples Party (APP), has expressed deep sorrow over the recent tragic stampedes during palliative distributions in Oyo, Abuja, and Anambra, which claimed several lives.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Onyemelukwe described the deaths as a “bad omen” and called for an urgent reevaluation of how palliatives are distributed to the less privileged.
The politician urged the wealthiest class, referred to as the “bourgeoisie,” to prioritize establishing factories and creating employment opportunities for the working class (proletariat) and the unemployed masses (lumpenproletariat) rather than relying on handouts that often lead to dangerous situations.
“Instead of sharing palliatives, which often results in avoidable tragedies, the bourgeoisie should invest in means of production to create sustainable jobs for the proletariat and lumpenproletariat. This would ensure economic growth and reduce the reliance on charity,” Onyemelukwe stated.
He further advised the proletariat to seek meaningful employment opportunities to become self-reliant and financially independent rather than competing for palliatives. He also urged the lumpenproletariat to engage in skill acquisition programs and vocational training to secure wages and escape the cycle of poverty.
Onyemelukwe emphasized that if the wealthy insist on distributing palliatives, they must secure police approval and implement adequate crowd control measures to prevent future tragedies.
“The lives of innocent citizens are too valuable to be lost due to poor planning and inadequate security during such events. Proper measures must be in place to ensure safety,” he added.
The senatorial aspirant called on all stakeholders to work together to address the root causes of poverty and unemployment, which he believes are the primary drivers of the palliative crises.
