Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has condemned the continuous stay of Nigerians in internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps, saying Nigerians should not be living like refugees in their country.

Obi stated this, yesterday, at the IDPs camp in Abagana, Makurdi Local Government Area, when he visited Benue State to celebrate Christmas with the occupants.

The LP presidential candidate, who donated N3 million to the IDPs, said: “I decided that today, I will be in Kogi and Benue to celebrate with people in IDPs camps. Nigerians should not be living in the camps in their country.

“So, I am appealing to the Federal Government, whatever it takes to ensure Nigerians don’t live as refugees in their country must be done.

“I assure you that the next government, as we progress, we will ensure this does not continue. Today, we are here just to tell you to remain faithful, remain prayerful, keep all your hope in God.



“What you are passing through is what Nigeria is passing through. What affects you affects everyone. We cannot say we are doing well when you are here.

“As long as you remain here, Nigeria is not doing well. It is when you leave and you are in your homes, farming and doing what you are supposed to do to help Nigeria become productive that Nigeria will be proud to say we are Nigerians.

“As long as you remain in IDPs camp, Nigeria is in IDPs camp. So, I have come here to celebrate with you. I am pained that Nigerians are in camps. You are in camp and we are also in camp because if you were in your homes today, I would have been in my home but since you are here, we can’t continue to celebrate. This is what we portray as a country.”

Responding, Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Emmanuel Shior, appreciated Obi for the show of love for the IDPs in Benue and promised the state will continue to pray for him as he moves round the country to canvass for votes.

Obi was in the state recently where he visited Daudu 1 and also donated relief items to them.

Shior, who thanked Obi for celebrating Christmas with the IDPs and for encouraging and giving hope to the over 10,000 IDPs housed at the Abagana camp, prayed God to grant him his desires to rule the country.

ChukwuObe:
This guy is really afraid of spending the money he duped the Biafrans in diaspora

ufotty2001:
3m.. this is laughable

PandoraObi:
Peter Obi's Igbo people verbally crucified politicians for doing what Peter Obi is doing presently, but they will praise him now for giving money just to buy the presidency, this emotional blackmail and political hypocrisy will not work, no to nsobu nsobu politics

ufotty2001:
3m.. this is laughable

MasterTeeUSA:
Many months ago, years ago, I had wondered during GEJ why people kept dying without any viable solutions. In my own little analysis, I came up with a suggestion I had wanted to pen in an article, remove everyone from the outskirts of towns and villages, relocate them until you can guarantee their safety...they go after the criminals. By so doing, you prevent lots of collateral damage and keep people safe. As a matter of fact, I felt the govt should condemn some areas, level the villages, and create militarized zones that if anyone crosses, shoot to kill. To prevent an inter-village crisis, I felt this idea would work as well.

Years later, govt created the IDPs to allow for relocations. After many years, those in Borno State are finally being relocated back to areas built by the Govt with safety and protection among the conclaves.

The issue I have with people like Peter Obi is...they don't think about issues deeply and just run about saying what should be done or not be done. If he becomes the President and relocates all these people, it would cost more to keep them safe and someone like him will be reluctant to create IDPs. It might seem like a great idea or make for Monday Morning Talk Show for folks that don't do research or think deeply, but when you look at the idea behind IDPs, it has kept lots of people safe. I do think the Govt should have very good schools, hospitals, and proper welfare within the IDPs, but closing them down without say ...recruiting soldiers, police, and security infrastructures and putting in place so many things is a recipe for disaster. Leaders do not think about what is popular, they do what is RIGHT. I pray we choose and vote wisely. Obama was a good example...he was less effective in solving lots of issues...even ObamaCare had to be saved from itself.

nony43:
E get as this thing be how Nigerians go de live as Refugees in their own country. God forbid bad thing.

Have you ever seen El-Rufai visit any of those attacked and killed Southern Kaduna villages like Ortom always do in Benue state ? This is to tell us what Ihejirika and Obadia said is true. Nigerian Muslims are the worst Muslims and human beings on earth.

ufotty2001:
3m.. this is laughable