Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate in the February 25, 2023, poll, Mr. Peter Obi has expressed worry that Nigeria without being at war, is the third country with the most Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in Africa.
He added that Nigeria ranks among the 10 countries with the largest number of IDPs globally.
Obi on his X on Thursday to mark the World Refugee Day, said:
“Today, set aside by the global community to mark World Refugee Day, provides a huge opportunity to celebrate the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.
“It also include those who, though in their home countries are forced by conflict to flee from their homes and live in refugee shelters and encampments.
“I, therefore, add my voice in speaking out for the many refugees in our dear nation, who are either displaced from their homes by insecurity or natural disasters.
“As I have maintained, we are all refugees in Nigeria, so long as some of our brothers and sisters are living as refugees in different IDP camps.
“Without being at war, Nigeria stands as the third country with the most IDPs in Africa and ranks among the 10 countries with the largest number of IDPs globally.
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“Aside from combatting insecurity which remains the major propelling force fueling an increase in IDPs in Nigeria, we must support our brothers and sisters who are already displaced, by giving them access to education and healthcare.
“We also remember our brothers and sisters who are refugees in different countries.
“In 2023, it was reported that the number of Nigerian refugees living in other countries stood at 336,862.
“The International Organisation for Migration reported that in the year 2023 alone, at least 12,000 Nigerians died while trying to migrate through the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea.
“We, as leaders, must now start to deliver committed leadership to the people. That is what we owe every Nigerian. Building a safe, secure nation, that prioritises investment in education, health and poverty eradication, will greatly reduce the number of IDPs in our nation and Nigerian refugees in other countries.
“Our commitment to the New Nigeria remains to build a more productive nation where every Nigerian will freely live and contribute to the growth and development of the nation.
“It is indeed now more possible than ever before,” he added.
