Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has asked political parties to discontinue campaigns following the ongoing ravaging floods across Nigeria.
He said this on Sunday after calls from Nigerians, notably the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, that parties should suspend campaigns following the heavy floods that have killed over 600 people and displaced millions across the country.
While speaking on Channels TV Sunday night, he said: “Once you have a major concern – an environmental disaster of this level – it calls to reason that people should be empathic, people should show concern for the lives and properties of people there.
“I agree that suspending a campaign for one or two days and seeing how much you can contribute physically, financially, and morally to further strengthen the belief of the people that we have good managers who will run this country for them. It makes a lot of sense.”
The former National Deputy Chairman of the main opposition PDP said campaigning while the floods and their impacts were still being felt by many Nigerians made no sense.
He, therefore, called on the PDP to take the lead and work with stakeholders to combat the issue.
“I would advise them to do the same because if we are going now and trying to woo the hearts and minds of the people, anything that would disrupt their perfect state of mind should also be our major concern,” he maintained.
“It (suspending campaigns) makes a lot of sense both politically and also spiritually.
“You know you cannot close your eyes and pretend that you didn’t know what is happening and its terrible effects on the lives of our people.
“I will plead with our party – the managers – to, please, suspend it and to also key in morally – the contribution to NEMA and whatever advice they would give to those in government and do something – so that it would be impactful on their mindset that this party has so much sympathy and concern; not only to take their votes.”
Meanwhile, Chief George has urged Governor Nyesome Wike of Rivers State to leave Lagosians to decide who to vote as their governor come 2023.
This followed Wike’s open endorsement of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for a second term based on what he described as his sterling performance in his first term.
“Wike should leave Lagos for us. He won’t carry Rivers State people’s votes to Lagos.
“He visited his friend. Wike’s comment was political. We that we’ve suffered in the misgovernance of Lagos will speak with our votes.
“Wike cannot railroad us into voting Sanwo-Olu. Wike made a general statement. We don’t want a diversion.
“If you go to your friend’s house, will you begin to demolish him? So, he came to his friend in Lagos.
“The people who reside in Lagos will determine whether Sanwo-Olu will return. Gov Wike will not come to campaign for him,” he noted.
