The Village Boys and Girls Movement (VBGM) has denied culpability in the chaos that ensued at the Owerri venue of the empowerment programme organised by the City Boys Movement.

The group blamed the chaos on poor planning and inept crowd management by the organisers.

Recall that there was a massive stampede at the Owerri venue of the planned outreach programme by the leaders of the City Boys Movement, even as the organisers blamed the VBGM for sending street urchins to disrupt the exercise.

Reacting to the accusation against VBGM, the Village Headmaster, Tochukwu Ezeoke, denied any such meddling, saying that the attempt to associate it with the stampede was a vain effort to mask the administrative chaos and incompetence that define the activities of the current administration.

While insisting that the failure in Owerri was occasioned by gross ineptitude, Ezeoke alleged that the organisers and their online supporters refused to take responsibility.

Ezeoke stated: “The City Boys could not even manage a simple public gathering without descending into deadly disorder. What played out in Owerri mirrors the utter incompetence of their principal and the government that has plunged this country into economic and moral decay.

“A painful reflection of the hunger, frustration, and recklessness that have become widespread under the Tinubu administration. It is obvious that Nigerians are being pushed to desperation by poor governance and rising hardship.”

He noted that the VBGM chose simplicity over showmanship so as to drive home its focus on its message of hope, discipline and empowerment, stressing that the group is preparing for its planned “Two Million-Man March” in honour of Mr Peter Obi, whom he described as a beacon of integrity and vision for a better Nigeria. (The Guardian)