The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on the government to take decisive steps to end insecurity and ensure that Nigerians displaced by banditry return to their communities.
Obi spoke on Tuesday during a visit to an Internally Displaced Persons’ camp in the Ramin Kura area of Sokoto State, where he interacted with displaced residents and assessed their living conditions.
The former Anambra State governor said it was unacceptable for Nigerians to remain in IDP camps in a country that was not formally at war.
He said, “As long as Nigerians live in IDP camps, the entire country is living in an IDP camp. This is unacceptable. That’s why we say we’ll deal decisively with these situations in security so our people can go back.
“No Nigerian should live in an IDP camp. We’re not at war. Even if we’re at war, we should know and take care of them. Look at the living condition in which they live. These are fellow Nigerians.”
Obi said his interaction with the displaced persons showed that many of them wanted to return to their communities, but were concerned about whether the government could guarantee their safety.
He said, “From the interaction we have with the people, they want to return to their place. My concern is their concern. Most of them are talking with us here; they want to go back to their place. What is the assurance?”
The NDC candidate also expressed concern over the lack of basic amenities at the camp, particularly healthcare and education for children.
According to him, “There’s no hospital here. I asked them. I saw a child with a broken hand. There’s no primary healthcare to take care of their health. There’s no school for the children. It’s unacceptable in our country today.”
Obi said his visit was primarily aimed at monitoring the situation and listening directly to the concerns of displaced Nigerians rather than making a major intervention.
He, however, disclosed that he had made a personal contribution to the camp, while stressing that such assistance could not replace the responsibility of government.
“I have given them my contribution. I’m going to send a message through him to come and give just a small gift. But that’s not what it should be.
“The government should take care of the situation by assuring that this situation should not be there,” he said.
Obi said he had been visiting different parts of Sokoto State to interact with residents and understand their concerns firsthand, adding that he intended to continue visiting IDP camps across the country.
“I will be visiting IDP camps across this country every time I move out. I’ve been in Sokoto since yesterday, moving from one area, meeting one group or the other, because we want to listen to the people. We want to see for ourselves,” he said.