Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 election, has expressed deep concern over the deplorable conditions of internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in Ramin Kura IDP camp in Sokoto State. During a visit to the camp, Obi interacted with the IDPs and witnessed firsthand the poor living conditions, which he described as distressing. The camp currently houses over 1,000 IDPs who are crammed into makeshift shelters and thatched rooms.
According to Obi, some rooms in the camp house as many as 10 persons, which he believes is unacceptable. He also observed that the camp lacks adequate toilet facilities, a primary healthcare centre, and a basic school for the children. Obi emphasized the need to tackle the root causes of displacement while making the IDP camps more conducive for the affected persons. He reiterated that as long as even one Nigerian lives in an IDP camp, the country is collectively internally displaced.
Obi's visit to the Sokoto IDP camp was part of his 2027 presidential ambition tour, which included town hall meetings and consultations with various groups in the state. The discussions centred on pressing issues such as insecurity, high number of out-of-school children, endemic poverty, youth unemployment, and drug prevalence. Obi noted that the visit marked his 12th to IDP camps across Nigeria and reaffirmed his commitment to continuously supporting the affected Nigerians.
The NDC presidential candidate urged political office holders to spend their holidays within the country to witness firsthand the difficulties faced by IDPs, whose vulnerability has been worsened by the government's failure to prioritize critical areas of development. He called on the government and relevant agencies to immediately address the pressing needs of the IDPs. Obi's visit to the IDP camp has drawn attention to the plight of IDPs in Nigeria.
Obi's commitment to supporting IDPs is evident in his previous visits to IDP camps across the country. He has consistently emphasized the need for the government to prioritize the welfare of IDPs and work towards resolving the underlying security issues that led to their displacement. The IDP camp in Sokoto State is one of many across Nigeria, highlighting the need for a comprehensive solution to address the issue of internal displacement.
The condition of IDP camps in Nigeria has been a longstanding concern, with many camps lacking basic amenities such as healthcare, education, and sanitation. Obi's visit has brought attention to the need for urgent action to address the plight of IDPs. The government has been called upon to prioritize the welfare of IDPs and work towards finding a lasting solution to the issue of internal displacement.
Peter Obi's visit to the Ramin Kura IDP camp in Sokoto State has highlighted the need for collective action to address the issue of internal displacement in Nigeria. The NDC presidential candidate has reiterated his commitment to supporting IDPs and called on the government to prioritize their welfare. The visit has drawn attention to the plight of IDPs and the need for urgent action to address their pressing needs.
Key points
- Peter Obi visits Sokoto IDP camp, decries poor living conditions of over 1,000 internally displaced persons.
- Obi emphasizes need to tackle root causes of displacement, make IDP camps more conducive.
- The visit marks Obi's 12th to IDP camps across Nigeria, reaffirms his commitment to supporting affected Nigerians.
