The party’s supporters died in a stampede at the campaign rally held at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The Rivers State Police Command told journalists that four persons lost their lives, while four others were injured and taken to a hospital for treatment.
A statement by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu, said on Tuesday that President Buhari condoled with the families and friends of the victims, while he wished a speedy recovery to all those injured.
According to the statement, the President described the deaths as “needless loss of lives and an anti-climax to a highly successful outing” in Port Harcourt.
He, however, noted that the deaths could have been averted if there was an orderly exit from the venue of the rally.
“It is indeed a great tragedy that Nigerians who have important roles to play in shaping the future of the country and had come to see and hear from us how hard their government is working to build a Nigeria of their dreams, would meet their end in this unfortunate circumstance,” President Buhari said.
He added, “I assure the people, with all sense of responsibility, that the party and the government will do everything possible to ensure the well-being and safety of our citizens as they troop out to attend rallies and all other political events.”
President Buhari also assured the government and the people Rivers State, especially the affected families of the support and prayers of the Federal Government during this difficult time.
He prayed that God would grant the souls of the deceased repose.
It will be recalled that some party supporters also died during President Buhari’s campaigns in Taraba, Borno and Jigawa states in northern Nigeria.