Viral photos show Goodluck Jonathan riding in a canoe as he visits flood victims in Bayelsa

The floods in Bayelsa state have forced former President Goodluck Jonathan to leave his comfort zone to ride in a canoe to visit victims in communities in the southern state.

One of the photos posted by the former president on his verified Facebook page shows him in shorts as he walks inside the flood water.

In another one, he is seen in a canoe alongside community residents.

Legit.ng gathers that the photos were taken when Jonathan visited Otuoke, his community and a few other communities in Bayelsa state to assess the impact of the flood on Thursday, October 27.

"It is still a depressing situation in many of the affected communities because of the magnitude of the flood and the disruption and destruction it has caused.

"This is a moment of crisis; we need to work in unity to achieve the goal of giving hope and providing succor to all victims," the former president said.

In the statement posted alongside the photos, former President Jonathan said he sympathised with the flood victims across many states in Nigeria.

He noted that the situation called for urgent intervention by all stakeholders. "I sympathize with the victims of this year’s flood across many states of the federation who have lost loved ones and properties worth millions. The worsening humanitarian crisis in the affected states calls for urgent action and collaboration by all stakeholders.

"I am touched by the dire situation in some of the affected states, especially my home State Bayelsa where almost all the local government areas are submerged in water and the East-West Road section leading to the State has become impassable, creating scarcity of food and essential commodities," he said.

The former president urged all citizens of goodwill and humanitarian agencies to demonstrate solidarity with these victims and provide support to those affected.