PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday led some members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to assess the areas damaged in the August 19 torrential rainfall, with a pledge that the Federal Government would come to the aid of the state.
The President, who was taken round the flood sites in a helicopter with his host, Governor Abiola Ajimobi, expressed sadness over the disaster, saying the damaged areas were mind boggling and terrible.
However, the president's visit was overshadowed by clashes between supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), who engaged in a free for all in their bid to outshine one another at the airport.
At least 10 persons were injured in the fracas, including the PDP chairman in Oluyole Council, Elder Oyelade Akinlade.
The party supporters stationed themselves at the airport as early as 8am, to welcome the president and his entourage.
But a heated argument broke out between the opposing groups, which led to a fight, leaving many severely injured in the process.
According to an eyewitness account, trouble started when security men allegedly disallowed some of the parties' supporters from entering into the airport.
Some members of the ACN had frowned at what they described as illegal rally by PDP supporters at the airport, alleging that they had turned the occasion into a party jamboree.
The ministers of Works, Environment, Water Resources and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) accompanied Jonathan to Ibadan.
Also on the entourage were Senator Olufemi Lanlehin and the Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Monsurat Sunmonu.
After his aerial inspection of the affected areas, Jonathan said: "We came and flew over some of the places and saw the extent of the damage. We feel pained, but being a natural disaster, we feel it is an occurrence we are all helpless about.
"I pray God to give the affected families the fortitude to bear the losses."
As a first step, the president stated that officials of the federal ministries of Water, Environment and Works would be dispatched to the state, to liaise with the officials of the state government to assess the situation and explore immediate areas of intervention.
He commended the state government for the rapid response to the disaster, as well as the deployment of necessary agencies to provide succour to the victims of the flood.
Ajimobi, in his remarks, expressed gratitude to the president for the visit, saying he was impressed by federal government's concern since the flood occurred.
The governor lamented that no state in the zone had ever recorded disaster of such magnitude with attendant loss of lives and property.
"We are in a state of despair. We feel helpless. We look unto you for assistance," Ajimobi told the president.
He disclosed that his administration had begun rehabilitation of bridges and roads and commenced enlightenment campaigns.
The Guardian