The Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) has condemned in the strongest term the Children’s Day tragedy that occured at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium during the commemoration of the Children’s Day, organized by the Edo State Ministry of Education.
This is contained in a statement signed by Dr. Samson Isibor
National Chairman, CRPP, and made available to newsmen in Benin City, Edo State.
Reports had it that some students of a government secondary school besieged the venue and allegedly attempted to cause violence, which allegedly triggered the use of pepper spray by bouncers.
Sadly, over 50 students were seriously injured and collapsed in a stampede resulting from the pandemonium.
Videos and pictures of the sad event have since gone viral on the internet, as the affected students were immediately hospitalized.
According to the CRPP, this tragedy has again exposed Governor Monday Okpebholo-led government failure to protect the children, especially the girl-child.
“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.” Isibor stated.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Government has clarified the incident that occurred during the 2026 Children’s Day celebration at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, dismissing what it described as misleading social media narratives.
In a statement, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Akhere Ebojele, said the government rejected sensational interpretations, misinformation, and deliberate attempts to twist the incident to tarnish the administration’s reputation.
