Experts in the environment sector say Nigeria needs leaders concerned about saving the environment and providing citizens with the atmosphere to live in dignity and safety.
At a presidential town hall on climate change and environmental concerns organized by the University of Abuja in collaboration with stakeholders in the environment sector, some presidential candidates in the 2023 general election spoke about their plans for solving numerous environmental challenges facing the nation.
Though organized for 18 political parties and their presidential candidates in the February 25 presidential election, only 4 were present at this town hall. According to the experts, the environment is a critical factor for human existence making it imperative for presidential candidates to prioritize environmental issues in their campaigns.
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The first to speak was the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress AAC, Omoyele Sowore, and for him, moderating human activities is vital to achieving a safe environment. Next was the presidential candidate of the Action Democratic Congress Dumebi Kachikwu, who says he will focus on discovering how science affects the environment through research if elected Nigerian president.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwanso, represented by the party’s chairman, professor Rufai Alkali, believes that if the party’s candidate assumes office as Nigeria’s president he will address the issue of fertilizer production for agricultural purposes. The Social Democratic Party presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, on his part says his party’s manifesto already prioritized environmental concerns.
Environmental issues such as climate change, oil exploration, renewable energy, and green economy among others topped discussions at this presidential Town Hall.
The interaction here no doubt is an opportunity for Nigerians to know the presidential candidates who are attuned to environmental issues to enable them to make informed choices at the polls.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
