Following the unfortunate stampede at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-South Zonal Presidential Rally at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt today, President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered an immediate investigation into the causes of the incident.



Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who disclosed this Saturday night when he visited victims at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH), Port Harcourt said the President gave the order before departing the state.



Governor Amaechi, who was visibly shaken by the loss of lives in the unfortunate incident, said “we may not be able to say anything until the security agencies must have turned in their report after investigation”.



He explained that government will take care of the medical bills of all those being treated, and would try to reach the families of those that lost their lives to see what level of assistance that could be given to them.



The governor said ‘it is quite sad and extremely painful that the party will come out from such a celebration to meet this kind of tragedy, “we, however, believe that God will give the families of those that died the courage to bear the irreparable loss”.



Meanwhile, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Sampson Parker has disclosed that a total of 11 persons have been confirmed dead following the incident.



Dr Parker said out of the number, 10 persons died at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH), while one person died at the Teme Clinic in Port Harcourt where they were rushed to.







BLESSING WIKINA

Acting Chief Press Secretary to the Governor