Peter Obi, the Labour Party's cadidate for 2023 presidency, has expressed concern about the flood that is destroying many areas of the nation.
He claimed that the devastating floods will have "deleterious" effects on agricultural production and will cause food prices to rise at a time when the nation is dealing with an increase in food insecurity as a result of banditry and insurgency.
Numerous states in the nation have recently been under water as a result of severe floods that has claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands more.
Obi responded to the tragedy on his verified Twitter account on Tuesday, writing that the flooding's destructive scope and the harm it has caused are astounding.
While sympathizing with those directly affected by the loss of lives and properties, the former Anambra State governor appealed to the Federal Government and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to expeditiously assist victims of the natural disaster.
The post read, “The devastating enormity of the 2022 flooding and the damages it has wreaked on several states, namely, Benue, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Bayelsa and Nasarawa, is mind-boggling. So far, over 600 lives were reportedly lost, and over 2 million people displaced.
“I sympathize with those directly affected by the loss of lives and properties. At a time our country contends with rising food insecurity due to banditry and insurgency, the ravaging floods will have deleterious consequences on food production, as well as orchestrate higher food prices. I call on FGN and NEMA to expeditiously assist those affected by this natural disaster.
The devastating enormity of the 2022 flooding and the damages it has wreaked on several states, namely, Benue, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Bayelsa and Nasarawa, is mind boggling. So far, over 600 lives were reportedly lost, and over 2 million people displaced.
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) October 18, 2022The Federal Government had earlier faulted state governments for not heeding early warnings issued by its agencies.
Director-General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services (NIHSA), Clement Nze, had blamed state governments for disregarding “adequate and timely warnings” and weather advisories issued by the various Federal Government agencies.
“If our predictions were heeded by relevant sub-nationals, we will not have been where we are today,” Eze said.
“But I am believing that following this year’s flood disaster across the land, the consciousness of relevant actors especially sub-nationals will be awakened to do the needful once they receive all these advisories