One of the leaders of the All Progressives Congress in Kwara State, Mr. Dele Belgore, on Sunday said that about 47 persons had been confirmed dead following the Sallah stampede tragedy in Ilorin last Wednesday.

But the Senior Special Assistant to Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed on Media and Communication, Muyideen Akorede, said only four people died in the stampede.

But Belgore added that any other figure than 47 was speculative.

However, the Publicity Secretary, Kwara State chapter of  the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Mas'ud Adebimpe, said only four people died.

PDP members and other hangers-on had gathered at the residence of a former Kwara State governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki at Ilofa Government Reservation Area Road to receive sallah gifts.

But a stampede later erupted that led to the death of many people while several others sustained injuries.

Belgore in a statement by his media aide, Rafiu Ajakaiye, called on the Nigerian Police, the National Human Rights Commission and other relevant Federal Government's agencies to investigate the cause of the tragedy. He said the tragedy must not go without being investigated, adding that culprits should be punished.

"Conservative estimates say up to 47 persons have been confirmed dead in this year's carnival of death alone!

"This cycle of deaths must stop. Innocent lives must not continue to be exploited for political gain.

"We condemn in strong terms what has almost become an annual ritual where dozens will die queuing to collect amala and ewedu, N50 notes and five yards of ankara under the guise of political philanthropy.

"For the record, these deaths are the third in a space of four years! These occurred in 2010, 2011 and now in 2013.

"Worst still, every time this happens the government and the PDP play down the casualty figures and do nothing more than issuing ready-made statements to commiserate with the families of the dead, while doing nothing to tackle the cause of the  cycle of death in the coming year.

"Counted together, it is safe to say hundreds of Kwarans have been lost to this practice."