The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has said the flooding of this year has proven that climate change is real.
Peter Obi Speaks About Climate Change
Obi stated this on his official Twitter handle on Tuesday afternoon in an apparent reaction to the devastating flooding in several states of the federation.
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns and human activities have been attributed as the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels (like coal, oil, and gas), which produces heat-trapping gases.
According to Obi, the poor, the well-to-do, and the rich are affected alike, citing the example of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s country home, Otueke in Bayelsa which has been submerged in water.
He said while the Federal government cannot control the rains, it should take proactive measures to ameliorate the ravages of flooding.
The LP presidential candidate said when floods occur as is now the case, expeditious humanitarian intervention measures should be deployed to support the affected and displaced.
“This year’s flooding proves that climate change is real. The rise in temperature, rise in ocean levels, excessive rains, are all indicative of climatic changes,” he said.
“The poor, the well-to-do, and the rich are affected alike. President Goodluck Jonathan’s country home was affected, as was the entire Otueke community.
“While FGN cannot control the rains, it should take proactive measures to ameliorate the ravages of flooding; and even when they occur as is now the case, expeditious humanitarian intervention measures should be deployed to support the affected and displaced.”
This year's flooding proves that climate change is real. Rise in temperature, rise in ocean levels, excessive rains, are all indicative of climatic changes. The poor, the well to do and the rich are affected alike.
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) November 1, 2022
Nigeria is currently witnessing its worst flood in over a decade. Reports say over 1.4 million people have been displaced, with 600 hundred reported to have died and thousands injured.
Two of the worst states hit by the disaster are Kogi and Anambra.