AAC to phase out parties behind environmental problems

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, during a town hall at the University of Abuja on Tuesday said climate change and other environmental issues could be solved if people had sustainable lifestyles.

This was as he said the AAC would also phase out parties creating environmental problems.

“Our lifestyles, if properly done, cannot harm the environment.

“Our goal in the AAC is not only to address environmental problems but also to phase out the major political parties in Nigeria that are creating environmental problems,” he said.

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Speaking during the programme titled, ‘Climate Change and Environmental Concerns,’ he told the students to find it in their hearts to make sure they elect the right people to govern the country, “people who are versatile and can at least interact with students.”

Climate change has been a major environmental crisis ravaging the earth. With global warming causing the rise of sea level, flooding has been recorded in many parts of the world, with more devastating effects in the coastal areas including in Lagos, Nigeria.

Droughts in major parts of Africa cannot also be disconnected from the effects of climate change.

The United States President Joe Biden while addressing the Congress on Tuesday described the environmental menace as an “existential threat” that must be addressed.

Speaking further, Sowore who said, “Most people think when issues of environments are being discussed, the discussion revolves around environmental sanitation, houses or growing of foods alone,” added, “whereas,  the environment determines the climate change and vice versa.”

“When Ken Saro Wiwa stood up and challenged the government and the international companies, it came to most people’s awareness that the Niger Delta region is not only being destroyed but the activities of the oil drilling companies are also destroying the ozone layer above our heads,” he added.

He made reference to the recent floods in Nigeria that killed people in 2022, saying the cause of the problem was being left unaddressed.

Saying he is the only geographer among the presidential candidates, he said there was a comprehensive way to deal with environmental crises affecting the people.

“One of the ways is to generate sustainable living in the country and it starts with generating electricity with all other sources that can be provided to achieve that. We are going to jettison the use of fossil fuel in this country,” he added.