Lagos, Nigeria — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death of Nkanu Nnamdi, the 21-month-old son of renowned author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, while sharply criticizing what it describes as longstanding systemic failures in Lagos State’s healthcare sector under the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
In a statement issued on Monday, the ADC conveyed its condolences to the Adichie family, describing the loss of a child as “an unbearable tragedy” and extending sympathies during what it called a profoundly painful time.
However, the party said the incident goes beyond a personal loss and exposes broader governance failures in the state’s health system, particularly under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Government Reacts After Tragedy, ADC Says
The ADC questioned the Lagos State Government’s decision to announce an investigation only after public outrage and international attention followed the incident.
“Why does the government act only after lives are lost?” the party asked, noting that many Lagos residents have for years raised concerns about weak regulation of private hospitals, poor enforcement of clinical standards, inadequate monitoring of specialist practitioners, and a healthcare system driven more by profit than patient safety.
According to the ADC, these warnings were consistently ignored by the APC-led government until tragedy struck.
Regulatory Failure Equals Government Failure
The party also criticized the role of the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), which the state government has tasked with investigating the matter.
“Where was HEFAMAA before this tragedy?” the statement asked. “Were routine inspections carried out? Were licenses, staffing levels, and emergency protocols properly audited?”
The ADC argued that a government that truly values human life should enforce standards proactively, not reactively.
Healthcare Is a Right, Not a Luxury
While Lagos often brands itself as Africa’s “Centre of Excellence,” the ADC said the reality for many residents tells a different story, citing overstretched public hospitals, weak emergency response systems, limited oversight of private health facilities, and compromised patient safety.
“No parent—rich or poor—should lose a child due to preventable systemic failure,” the party stated, emphasizing that healthcare must be treated as a fundamental right.
Call for Accountability and Reform
The ADC called for a genuinely independent investigation, the public release of findings without political interference, clear sanctions for any professionals or institutions found culpable, and comprehensive reforms of health facility monitoring and emergency care systems across Lagos State.
The party warned that anything short of these measures would amount to “another media response, not justice.”
“Lagosians Deserve Better”
Concluding the statement, the ADC said the tragedy reflects a broader pattern of neglect by an administration it accuses of prioritizing image over human life. The party reaffirmed its solidarity with Lagos residents in demanding competent governance, transparent regulation, and a healthcare system that puts lives before politics.
“Lagos can and must do better,” the statement said.
Signed:
Eyiyemi Olivia Rogbinyin
State Publicity Secretary,
African Democratic Congress (ADC), Lagos State
