Following the floods that have affected numerous parts of Nigeria, Bode George, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged political parties to cease their campaigns.
He made this statement on Sunday in response to pleas from Nigerians, particularly Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Labour Party, that parties should halt their campaigns in light of the severe flooding that has left over 600,000 people dead and millions displaced around the nation.
George 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 PDP stated this in an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.
According to him, it is absurd to run for office while many Nigerians are still dealing with the effects of the floods and their aftermath.
Geroge advised his party to take the initiative and work with other parties to address the problem.
“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.
“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,” he said.