2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has expressed his “heartfelt condolences” to Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, and the good people of the state over the “devastating” floods in the Mokwa area of Niger State.
The former Governor of Anambra State said, he was in the United Kingdom (UK) and had to put a call through to Governor Bago after learning of the disaster to condole with the people of the North Central State over the flood.
The disaster claimed “over 200 lives”, with “about 1,000 persons still missing and more than 3,000 persons displaced from their homes, and several homes destroyed”.
Obi said, the flooding alongside other unfortunate incidents happening all over the country affects us all, and urged that we all “must come together to care, comfort and stand together, especially in times of grief and difficulty”.
Obi said: “Along with @SenNenadiUsman and Dr @YunusaTanko, I travelled to Niger State to condole and show solidarity with the Governor and the good people of the state over the devastating floods in the Mokwa area of Niger State.
“While in the UK yesterday, I had earlier called the governor, His Excellency, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago @HonBago, to express my heartfelt condolences.
“While in Niger State, I was warmly received by the Deputy Governor, His Excellency Yakubu Garba, and we had a discussion about the urgent needs of the affected communities, where over 200 lives have been lost, about 1,000 persons are still missing, more than 3,000 people have been displaced from their homes, and several homes destroyed.
“As I mentioned during the visit, this incident and others happening all over Nigeria affect us all, and as a family, we must come together to care, comfort and stand together, especially in times of grief and difficulty.”
Obi pleaded with the Federal Government, support agencies, as well as, well-meaning Nigerians “to assist the good people of Niger State in ameliorating their suffering” as he praised the Governor’s efforts and local response team “for their courage and resilience in the face of this overwhelming challenge”.
He went ahead to make an “initial donation” of ₦20 million to support the Government’s effort and assured he will continue to support their effort; and prayed that God comfort the families of victims, “protect those still missing and grant healing and strength to everyone affected by this disaster”.
Obi further said: “I hereby urge and appeal to the Federal Government, all support agencies, and well-meaning Nigerians to assist the good people of Niger State in ameliorating their suffering.
“I also wish to commend the efforts of the Governor and the local response teams for their courage and resilience in the face of this overwhelming challenge.
“As part of my commitment to stand with the people of Niger State during this difficult time, I made an initial donation of ₦20 million to support the effort of the government and I will continue to support their effort.
“I pray that God comforts the families of those who have lost their loved ones, protects those still missing, and grants healing and strength to everyone affected by this disaster. May Niger State find peace and restoration.”
In his assurance, President Bola Tinubu said, no Nigerian affected by the flooding in Niger State “will be left behind or unheard of.”
The President said, he received with “deep concern the distressing reports” of the flooding in the North Central State which led to “the tragic loss of lives and the displacement of families.”
Photo: X/@PeterObi
