Obi, LP caretaker c’ttee donate N50m to Borno flood victims

Peter Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmed, presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, have donated N50 million to victims of flooding in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.

On September 10, Alau Dam, which had been at full capacity in the weeks prior, collapsed. This led to the worst flooding in the state in 30 years.

The flood affected swathes of Maiduguri, culminating in the displacement of over 400,000 residents and the death of over 30 persons.

Borno experienced severe flooding in 1994 when the dam collapsed, resulting in the destruction of crops and property. Six northern states — Kebbi, Kaduna, Sokoto, Katsina, Kwara, Plateau, and parts of Cameroon — were adversely affected.

In a post on his X page on Wednesday, Obi said the “initial donation” was made to the state government, with more support to follow.

The former governor of Anambra added that LP is committed to supporting those affected by the devastating floods in Borno.

“Today, I, along with the Labour Party Caretaker Chairman, Distinguished Senator Nenadi Usman; Vice Presidential Candidate, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed; Dr Tanko Yunusa, the National Coordinator of the Obidients Movement, and other members of the party and the Obidient Movement, paid a condolence/solidarity visit to Borno state,” he wrote.

“While in the state, we visited the state Governor, Babagana Zulum, His Highness the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba Al Amin El-Kanemi, the good people of Borno State, following the recent flooding which claimed many lives and destroyed properties estimated at huge costs.

“Additionally, we visited the Bank of the North spare parts market, where traders lost their goods, an IDP camp in Government College where we met thousands of people and also visited a woman who tragically lost her newborn twins to the flood.

“The Labour Party is committed to supporting those affected by the devastating floods in Borno State. To demonstrate our solidarity, we have made an initial donation of ₦50M to the state government. But our support doesn’t stop there.

“We will continue to stand with the people of Borno, providing aid and resources to help them rebuild and recover from this tragedy.

“As the people of Borno navigate this challenging time, we want them to know they are not alone.

“We are dedicated to helping alleviate the suffering and hardship caused by the floods, which have submerged over half of Maiduguri and displaced thousands of residents.”