Obi, Datti Donate N50m to Borno Flood Victims

Obi, Datti Donate N50m to Borno Flood Relief

The Labour Party's (LP) presidential and vice-presidential candidates for 2023, Peter Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmed, have donated N50 million to help the victims of the recent floods in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The Alau Dam, which was approaching its breaking point, failed on September 10, resulting in the worst floods the state has witnessed in thirty years. In Maiduguri, the calamity killed over 30 people and forced over 400,000 people to flee their homes. 

The last time Borno experienced floods this bad was in 1994, when a dam failure caused extensive property and agricultural damage. Beyond Borno, the effects spread to areas of six additional northern states: Kebbi, Kaduna, Sokoto, Katsina, Kwara, and Plateau Cameroon. 

On Wednesday, September 18, Obi declared on his X page that the state administration had received the first donation and that additional aid was on the way. The former governor of Anambra also underlined the Labour Party's dedication to helping the people 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 50 million 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.”