Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has described the prolonged insecurity and displacement across Nigeria as unacceptable, saying the country has effectively become one large internally displaced persons (IDP) camp.
Obi made the remarks while visiting displaced residents in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, where he expressed concern over Nigerians who have been forced to flee their communities because of attacks.
According to Obi, the government must do more to secure affected communities and create the conditions that will allow displaced Nigerians to return to their ancestral homes.
“As long as you are in IDP camp, Nigeria is in IDP camp. It is when you go home that Nigeria is at home. You are not supposed to be here,” he said.
The NDC candidate urged the Federal Government to take urgent action against the killings and kidnappings that have continued to drive residents away from their homes, particularly in Plateau and Benue states.
Obi said protecting citizens should remain a primary responsibility of government, insisting that authorities must also ensure that those responsible for attacks are held accountable.
He acknowledged calls for prayers over the country’s security challenges but argued that prayers should be accompanied by decisive action from the government.
Obi said the perpetrators of attacks were not unknown and questioned why authorities had been unable to stop the violence and protect vulnerable communities.
The former Anambra State governor also highlighted the humanitarian consequences of the crisis, saying about 45,000 people from more than 20 communities had been displaced.
He described the scale of the displacement as unacceptable and warned that the situation should not be allowed to continue. Reports from the visit similarly put the number of displaced residents at more than 45,000 across the affected communities.
Obi further expressed concern about children affected by the crisis, noting that displacement and the destruction of communities had disrupted the education of many young Nigerians.
He said displaced residents should not be left to spend their lives in camps, stressing that the ultimate goal should be to make their communities safe enough for them to return and rebuild.
Obi also called on other politicians aspiring to become president to visit IDP camps across the country and see the conditions of displaced Nigerians firsthand.
He said his visit to Mangu was motivated by concern for the affected residents rather than political campaigning.
According to Obi, it was his third visit to the area, adding that he had previously supported the community through projects including the provision of water and assistance with a school.
He assured the displaced residents that they had not been forgotten and promised to continue supporting them within his capacity.
Obi maintained that Nigerians forced from their homes deserve the opportunity to return safely, rebuild their communities and resume their livelihoods without fear of further attacks.
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