By DEMOLA AKINYEMI, ILORIN

Ahead of Sunday’s inauguration of Kwara State Governor Fatai Ahmed, Ilorin, the state capital is wearing a mournful  look following  the death of about twenty five supporters of Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] in a stampede on Friday, at the ‘Mandate House’ campaign headquarters, during the party’s valedictory party for the outgoing governor, Dr Bukola Saraki.

Undisclosed number of victims were, at press time, still receiving treatments at various hospitals.

Thousands of party supporters from all over the state, as a mark of respect for the outgoing governor,  had honoured the invitation to the valedictory party.

Tragedy reportedly struck long after Saraki had departed and the party leadership directed thousands of the supporters to queue  to receive N5,000 and six yards of  Ankara clothing materials to be sewn and used for today’s inauguration ceremony.

An eye witness said the exercise had gone on successfully for about two hours and over three thousands had collected and left.

Other supporters still on queue were reportedly said have decided to jump the queue believing that the free gift might not get to them since it was already getting dark.

Pandemonium ensued and the crowd became uncontrollable, a development that prompted  them to jump over themselves.

Sunday Vanguard  gathered that the  sad discovery that lives had been lost  prompted the party leadership to stop the distribution, and the victims taken to private hospitals within the vicinity, while some were later taken to the government owned Specialist Hospital, Sobi.

Sunday Vanguard confirmed yesterday that the families of the victims had started coming to identify and take away the corpses of the deceased PDP members  for burial.

Victims, who had been claimed at the hospitals and buried, were identified as Malau Jimoh, Afusat Maja, Iyabo Fuji Isiaka, Rukayat Isiaka and Mrs. Kaliatu Oba.Others are Titilayo Suleiman, Laro Isa, Fasilat Alagbo, Nimota Saliman and Alhaji Zayadal Ayoka Galiu.

Commiserating with the victims, Saraki cancelled all other programs and engagements  slated for yesterday.