The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on Sunday visited one of the Internally Displaced Persons camps in Benue State to celebrate Christmas with displaced persons.
Obi, who visited the Abagana IDP camp located along Makurdi/Laafia road, regretted the continuous stay of Nigerians in IDP camps across the country.
The former governor of Anambra State donated N3m to the IDPs saying, “I decided that today, I will be in Kogi and Benue to celebrate with people in IDP 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, will ensure that this does not continue. Today, we are here just to tell you to remain faithful, remain prayerful, and keep all your hope in God.
“What you are passing through is what Nigeria is passing through. What affects you affects everyone in Nigeria. 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 we will be proud to say we are Nigerians.
“As long as you remain in IDP camp, Nigeria is in IDP camp.
“So I have come here to celebrate with you. I am pained that Nigerians are in camp.
“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 and that is why I said Nigeria is in camp. This is what we portray as a country.”
In his response, the Executive Secretary of Benue State Emergency Management Agency, Emmanuel Shior, appreciated the presidential candidate for the show of love for the IDPs in Benue and promised that the state would continue to pray for him as he moves round the country to canvass for votes.
