•Peter Obi with internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Plateau State, yesterday
Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has described the killings and attacks in Nigeria as prolonged, saying the situation has turned the country into an IDP camp.
He said the government has failed to adequately secure citizens and return them to their ancestral homes, reports Daily Trust.
Obi spoke on when he visited an attacked community in Mangu Local Government Council of Plateau State yesterday to sympathise with displaced persons affected by insecurity, stressing that his visit was driven by concern over the plight of Nigerians forced out of their homes.
He said the federal government must urgently tackle the killings and kidnappings responsible for the displacement of communities across the country, particularly in Plateau and Benue states.
“As long as you are in IDP camp, Nigeria is in IDP camp. It is when you go home that Nigeria is at home. You are not supposed to be here,” Obi said.
He urged the government to pay greater attention to the security crisis and take decisive action against those responsible for attacks on innocent citizens.
Obi acknowledged the importance of prayers in seeking solutions to the security challenges but stressed that government had a responsibility to protect citizens and deal with perpetrators.
“I listen to somebody who said we need prayers. Yes, we need prayers. But the prayers can be solved by government. The people who are coming to kill people are not from the moon. We know them. The Nigerian government should be able to deal with it,” he said.
The NDC candidate expressed sympathy with the displaced persons, saying they should not be living in camps but should be assisted to return safely to their communities.
He also expressed concern over the impact of insecurity on children, noting that the destruction of communities had forced many children out of school.
Obi said the situation was particularly disturbing given the number of people affected, noting that about 45,000 persons from more than 20 communities were displaced.
“You can imagine, 45,000 people in an area, over 20 communities. That is unacceptable. It is something that we must not allow to continue,” he said.
He said he wished other people seeking to occupy the office of President would visit IDP camps across the country to witness the conditions of displaced Nigerians.
According to him, his repeated visits to affected communities were aimed at drawing attention to the humanitarian consequences of insecurity.
“This is the third time I’m coming here to say what is happening here. I’ve been able to come here to build your school, provide water and everything,” he said.
Obi stressed that his visit was not to campaign, but to reassure the displaced persons that they remained in his thoughts and that he hoped they would eventually return home.
Obi assured the camp leaders that they were not alone and pledged to continue supporting them within his capacity.
“Be assured that you are not alone. Be assured that we are feeling your pain. We are feeling your disappointment and everything. And we will continue from time to time to support in any way we can,” he said.
