The Social Democratic Party, SDP, has expressed deep grief over the tragic road accident that occurred during the annual Ame Wo Ba Eggon cultural carnival procession in Nasarawa Eggon, Nasarawa State, which claimed the lives of four participants and left several others injured.
This is contained in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba in Abuja.
According to the statement, the Acting National Chairman, Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, says the incident occurred when heavy-duty trucks rammed into the cultural procession along the Nasarawa–Lafia highway during the movement from the Aren Eggon Palace to the carnival ground.
The statement extends its heartfelt condolences to the Aren Eggon, His Royal Highness, Retired Justice Ahmed Ubangari Alaku, the entire Eggon nation, and the families of the victims, describing the incident as painful, shocking, and a colossal loss to the community.
According to the statement, the deaths have plunged the Eggon nation into mourning, noting that the victims played invaluable roles in the promotion of Eggon culture and contributed significantly to the social and developmental growth of Nasarawa State and Nigeria at large.
It urges the bereaved families and the Eggon people to remain steadfast and take solace in God, while also calling on Nigerians to continue to pray for national transformation that would guarantee safety and meaningful living for citizens.
The statement observes that recurring road accidents across the country are often linked to poor road infrastructure, unroadworthy vehicles, substance abuse by drivers, and weak compliance with road safety regulations.
It therefore calls on governments at all levels, particularly the federal government, to urgently fix roads and strengthen enforcement of road safety laws to protect lives, while expressing solidarity with the Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area and the Nasarawa State Government, and praying for the repose of the souls of the departed.
