The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has rejected claims made by President Bola Tinubu on his record of erosion control in Anambra State.
Naija News reports that Tinubu, during his campaign rally in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, claimed that Obi “ran away from erosion.”
He, however, stated that he faced a bigger threat from the Atlantic Ocean when he was governor of Lagos but he did not run away
Reacting on Tuesday during an interview on Rhythm FM Jos, ahead of the NDC town hall meeting in Plateau state, Obi described the allegation as untrue.
The NDC presidential candidate said he worked with a former minister of environment to develop the erosion-control programme in Anambra.
Obi said he had taken a proposal for the intervention to the late former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who subsequently directed the minister to develop it.
“On what the president said while campaigning in Akwa Ibom, it’s not true. I, working with the former minister of environment, developed what they’re using today to fight erosion.
“I went to President Yar’Adua, made a suggestion to him. He called the minister and said he should go and develop it,” he said.
Obi said his visit to Plateau was part of an approach to engage residents and understand their concerns before holding campaign rallies.
He said political candidates should listen to citizens’ problems and experiences and explain how they intend to address them.
Obi also identified insecurity in central Nigeria as a major challenge, saying residents should be able to return to their communities, go about their businesses and farm without fear.
He said his administration, if elected, would prioritise public services, including education, healthcare and insurance coverage for vulnerable people.
