By DAVID ADEOYE

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State says he will put off his Dec. 25th birthday celebrations in honour of the children who died during Wednesday?s stampede in Ibadan.

Makinde stated this in Ibadan on Friday while receiving the South-East delegation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by its Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman, Sen. Adolphus Wabara.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the delegation came to condole with the governor over the early morning stampede at the children?s carnival at Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan.

Makinde described the incident, which claimed the lives of 35 children, as painful, unfortunate and preventable.

He said due to the incident; he would have to put off his Dec. 25th birthday celebrations and remain alone indoors.

?I will not go out; no birthday celebration this year,? he said.

He appreciated the BOT chairman and other party leaders for the visit, saying they were the first to pay him a condolence visit over the unfortunate incident.

?On behalf of the government and the people of Oyo State, we appreciate you for coming,? Makinde said.

Earlier, Wabara said the South-East party leaders were in Ibadan to commiserate with the governor and the people of Oyo State over the loss of lives arising from the stampede.

?We, the people of South-East, feel the pain of the sudden death of the 35 children.

?We pray God to grant you and the people of the state, particularly the parents of the victims, the fortitude to bear the loss,? Wabara said.

NAN reports a former governor of Ebonyi, Dr Sam Egwu; former PDP National Secretary, Chief Ben Obi, and PDP BOT member, Josephine Anenih, make up the delegation.

Others are PDP chieftain, Chief Obasi Elebe, and Ebonyi PDP chairman, Mr Onyema Nwele. (NAN)