CHRISTMAS GIFT STAMPEDES: ECONOMIC HARDSHIP, MORAL IMPLICATIONS AND THE NEED FOR ETHICAL LEADERSHIP UNDER TINUBU’S ADMINISTRATION

Abstract

This study examines the Christmas gift stampedes in Abuja, Anambra, and Oyo States in Nigeria, which resulted in several casualties within the regions; positing these incidents as stark indicators of severe economic hardship under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration alongside its corollary moral implications. The chaotic distribution of Christmas relief items reflects structural failures in addressingNigeria's worsening economic disparities and the resulting desperation among vulnerable populations. The research fills a gap in understanding how cultural and phenomenological lenses can contextualize such crises, particularly in the reciprocity between governance, societal values, and ethical leadership. Employing a qualitative methodology that incorporates both the direct and indirect data acquisition methods, the study utilizes a phenomenological and culturecentered approach to analyze lived experiences and societal narratives surrounding the events. The Amartya Sen's Capability Theoretical Approach is utilized in reinforcing the Study's arguments. Findings reveal that inadequate social safety nets, compounded by ineffective economic policies, exacerbate public despair, highlighting a deficit in moral accountability within leadership structures. Recommendations urge the actualization of ethical leadership through transparent governance, equitable wealth distribution, and culturally inclusive policy making to restore public trust and mitigate socio-economic divides, aligning governance with the lived realities of citizens.