‘We are all internally displaced’ — Obi decries poor conditions at Sokoto IDP camp
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has expressed significant concerns regarding the living conditions of over 1,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) at the Ramin Kura IDP Camp in Sokoto. Obi visited the camp on September 29 during his two-day trip to Sokoto State and shared his observations in a statement on social media.
During his visit, Obi was troubled to see displaced individuals residing in makeshift shelters and thatched rooms, some of which house as many as 10 people. He highlighted the camp’s lack of essential facilities, including adequate toilets, a primary healthcare center, and a basic school for children.
“I have always insisted that as long as even one Nigerian lives in an IDP camp, we are all internally displaced,” Obi stated, calling for governmental intervention to improve conditions at the camp and to address the security challenges that led to the residents’ displacement.
This visit marked Obi’s 12th trip to an IDP camp in Nigeria, and he reiterated his commitment to supporting displaced Nigerians. He also criticized the nation’s political leaders, suggesting that they should spend their holidays within Nigeria to witness the hardships faced by vulnerable populations.
Obi emphasized the need for the government to prioritize critical areas of development and promptly address the urgent needs of those living in the camp. He further urged action on pressing issues such as insecurity, the plight of out-of-school children, poverty, youth unemployment, and drug abuse, all of which were discussed during his engagements in Sokoto State.
