The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on the government to urgently improve the living conditions at the Ramin Kura Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Sokoto State. Obi made this appeal following a visit to the camp on Monday, as part of his two-day tour of the state. The facility, located in the Sokoto North Local Government Area, is home to over 1,000 internally displaced persons.
During his visit, Obi expressed deep concern over the state of the camp, noting that the displaced families live in makeshift shelters and thatched rooms, with up to ten individuals sharing a single, cramped room. He identified several critical infrastructural deficits, including a severe lack of proper toilet facilities and the absence of a primary healthcare center and basic school. Obi attributed these harsh conditions to a systemic failure by the government to prioritize critical areas of human development and welfare.
Obi took to his official social media handle on Wednesday to highlight the plight of the camp's residents, emphasizing the need for swift intervention to address the pressing infrastructural needs of the displaced persons. He also stressed the importance of tackling the root cause of the displacement, namely security challenges, to enable the families to safely return to their ancestral homes.
This marked Obi's 12th visit to an IDP camp within the country, and he pledged his continuous support for vulnerable and displaced citizens. He challenged other political office holders to spend their holidays within Nigeria, rather than traveling abroad, to better understand the harsh realities faced by the nation's most vulnerable people.
Obi reiterated his steadfast belief in national renewal, declaring that a new Nigeria is possible. He argued that temporary accommodations must be made significantly more comfortable, but the ultimate goal should be restoring security across the nation.
The IDP camp, located in the Sokoto North Local Government Area, is currently facing extreme congestion, with makeshift shelters and thatched rooms serving as homes for over 1,000 internally displaced persons. The facility lacks critical infrastructure, including proper toilet facilities, a primary healthcare center, and a basic school.
Obi's visit to the Ramin Kura IDP Camp is part of his efforts to draw attention to the plight of displaced persons in Nigeria. He has consistently called for improved living conditions and an end to the security challenges that have led to the displacement of thousands of people.
Key points
- Peter Obi visits Ramin Kura IDP Camp in Sokoto State, highlighting dire living conditions of over 1,000 displaced persons.
- Obi demands improved infrastructure, including toilet facilities, healthcare center, and school, for IDP camp.
- Obi emphasizes need to tackle root cause of displacement, namely security challenges, to enable safe return of displaced families.
