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From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, has described the recent mayhem in some parts of Plateau state, which led to the killings of hundreds of people, as unfortunate.
Obi was in Jos, the state capital on Wednesday, where he celebrated his 62nd birthday with over 20,000 Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Mangu local government area of the state.
He donated the sum of N5 million and 100 bags of rice to the victims of the recent crises in the area.
Speaking at the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Mwaghavul land, Mishkaham Da John Putmang Hirse, Obi condemned the killings and promised to partner with the state government and traditional institutions to ensure that the displaced persons were adequately taken care of.
He solicited the attention of all well-meaning Nigerians to re-integrate the displaced persons back into society having lost all their valuables and loved ones.
The LP presidential candidate commiserated with the people of Mangu, describing the killings as sad and uncalled for.
Thanking Obi for his show of love and concern, the monarch wished him a happy birthday and a longer life.
Obi had earlier visited Governor Caleb Muftwang at the Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos, where he told his host that he chose to celebrate his birthday with the Internally Displaced Persons in Mangu to show support to the people and also commiserate with them over the needless killings that have claimed several lives and properties in some local government Areas of the State.
He said, “I would like to commend the Governor for his relentless efforts to see that these killings stop. For us as Nigerians, it is time to be with our people, especially in this trying period. Nigerians cannot continue to get killed in their homes unprovoked, and we fold our arms. We cannot compensate for a life lost; we can only show support. We must do everything within our means to bring these barbaric killings to an end,” he said.
“Plateau was known to be the most peaceful State in Nigeria, with beautiful weather and a serene environment, but in recent years it’s been plagued by crises and killings.
“We must go back to the Plateau we used to know. A Plateau where people from various parts of life come to organize events and enjoy the beauty of the plateau. I call on Security Agencies to collaborate and bring these perpetrators to justice”.
Mutfwang wished Mr.Obi a happy birthday and thanked him for his visit to the state, stressing such an honour to celebrate his birthday with the Internally Displaced Persons in Mangu was statesmanlike.
Mutfwang, who himself is from Mangu, said that he grew up to know the land of his birth as one of the most peaceful areas of the state.
He described Mangu killings as a national disaster with over 300 people killed within two months.
The governor expressed his determination to stop the unnecessary carnage in Plateau state.
