Peter Obi, the Labor Party’s (LP) presidential candidate, celebrated Christmas on Sunday at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Abegena, Makurdi.
Speaking to the IDPs, Obi said their plight would not continue, adding that they should be hopeful that they would soon return to their ancestral homes.
Peter Obi in Abegena IDP Camp Makurdi, Benue
The presidential candidate donated N3 million for the maintenance of displaced people in the IDP.
While speaking to displaced people, Obi urged the federal government to take urgent measures to make the ancestral homes of displaced people ripe for resettlement, adding that Nigerians do not have to stay in IDP camps.
Jubilation as Peter Obi visits IDP Camp in Abegena, Makurdi, Benue State on Christmas Day
He said “I decided that today I will be in Kogi and Benue to celebrate with people in IDP camps. Nigerians should not be living in the camps in their country.
“So I am appealing to the Federal Government to do whatever it takes to ensure that Nigerians don’t live as refugees in their country.
“I assure you, that the next government, as we progress, we will ensure that this does not continue. Today, we are here just to tell you to remain faithful, remain prayerful, put all your hope in God.
“What you are passing through is what Nigeria is passing through. What affects you affects everyone in Nigeria. We cannot say we are doing well when you are here.
“As long as you remain here, Nigeria is not doing well. It is when you leave and you are in your homes, farming and doing what you are supposed to do to help Nigeria become productive that we will be proud to say we are Nigerians.
“As long as you remain in IDPs camp, Nigeria is in IDP camp. So I have come here to celebrate with you. I am pained that Nigerians are in camp. You are in camp and we are also in camp because if you were in your homes today, I would have been in my home but since you are here, we can’t continue to celebrate and that is why I said Nigeria is in camp. This is what we portray as a country.”
NGI 
SKJ