From Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
The presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has visited Benue State to sympathise with victims of flood and Internally Displaced Persons in the camp.
Obi, who was in Makurdi on Thursday, visited Daudu IDP camp, also visited victims of flood at rice mill in Makurdi area.
Addressing the victims, Obi who noted that the flood was not an accident, said the federal government was forewarned but did not do the needful to mitigate the flood.
“The flood is not an accident. It was meant to happen. It was something the federal government could have controlled but they failed to do something,” the candidate stated.
Obi said he suspended his campaign to go round the country, Benue inclusive, to sympathise with the people.
He pointed out that Benue state should not be suffering from flood because the state already has huge humanitarian crisis.
“So I have come to identify with the victims in my own little way,” he said.
The Labour party candidate who lamented most victims are farmers said there is food inflation in the country because Benue State is in crisis.
“Tthis is a huge loss on Nigeria. These are people who would have been back to the farms and producing the food that we eat today and because of that we have food inflation and that is why I say that if you give me the opportunity of serving, this situation will never occur anywhere in the country,” he stated.
He pledged that “If I become president, I will bring a permanent solution to the problem.”
The Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Prof Anthony Ijoho, SAN, who conducted him round the areas, appreciated Peter Obi for coming to identify with the Benue people emphasising that he was the only presidential candidate that has come to visit the people.
“Your excellency, you have come to Benue and visited our IDP camps and seen the suffering of our people. You did not only visit the flood victims but you entered the water yourself. This shows that you have the interest of the people at heart,” Ijoho said.
One of the victims, Polycarp Bogo, who said he has lost his house, food and property said since the incident, only the state government has come to their aid and thanked Peter Obi for identifying with them in their plight.
He prayed God to grant the presidential candidate his heart desires.