2023 poll: GIFSEP urges communities in Nasarawa to vote candidates with climate action plan

By David Odama

Global Initiatives for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) a Non Governmental Organisations NGO, has urged communities in Nasarawa State to vote for candidates that understand climate issues during the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

Project officer, GIFSEP for African Activists on Climate Justice Project, Joseph Ibrahim gave the charge, while presenting climate risk register to Sangarin of Shabu, Mamud Umar- Bwala in Shabu, Lafia local government of the state.

According to him, GIFSEP team called at Sangarin palace to remind the people of Shabu about the climate change issues raised during the development stage of the risk register to put forward before politicians on electioneering campaign.

He explained that climate change was under represented in the campaign ahead of the 2023 general elections, while noting that climate action was critical to the survival of democracy and sustainable development.

Ibrahim called on citizens especially those in communities impacted by climate change to ensure that they collect their PVCs and look beyond empty campaign promises and other forms of inducement to vote for candidates that have a climate action plan.

“Today we present climate risk register to Sangarin Shabu for them to look out and remember their demands, hoping that they will show these demands to politicians canvassing for votes.

“This is because climate change is the crises of our lifetime, it is the defining issue of today’s world, a vote for climate is a vote for food security, sustainable energy, health, healthy environment, equity and fairness, sustainable future and a vote for life.

“Today message is very clear and simple, the people of Shabu have to vote for climate so as to address climate change issues raised to enable them build resilience,” he said.

Sangarin of Shabu, Alh. Mamud Umar-Bwala, while receiving the climate risk register, expressed appreciation to GIFSEP for a Job well done.

The Royal father, represented by Madakin Shabu, Musa Shuaibu, however, made case for legislation to give certain power to the traditional council to implement the recommendations contained in the register.

He said that the palace has begun sensitisation of the people of Shabu on the need to plant trees so as to reduce impact of climate change on environment.

“We want you to liaise with government so that the legislation will be made to give power to traditional council because there are a lot of things that are not within the power of traditional council,” he said.