By Aliyu Bala Gerengi, Gombe
As political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, a coalition of 50 climate and environmental organisations in Kaduna State has launched a campaign to compel political aspirants to make climate action and environmental protection key components of their manifestos.
The coalition, under the #Vote4Climate Initiative, has commenced advocacy visits to politicians and other stakeholders, seeking firm commitments on issues ranging from deforestation and flooding to desertification, erosion, pollution and water scarcity.
The campaign is aimed at ensuring that environmental concerns are no longer treated as peripheral issues during electioneering but become part of the major policy agenda of candidates seeking public office.
Speaking during one of the advocacy engagements, the Head of Communications and Strategies of African Climate Reporters (ACR) and Co-Chairman of the Kaduna State Climate Change Accountability Mechanism (KADCCAM), Comrade Ibrahima Yakubu, said the coalition had begun meeting political leaders across the state.
Among those already engaged is former Kaduna Central Senator, Senator Shehu Sani.
Yakubu said the coalition comprises environmental NGOs, civil society organisations, journalists, geologists, environmental scientists and climate advocates who are determined to place climate change at the centre of political discussions ahead of 2027.
He warned that climate change was no longer a distant threat but a growing reality affecting communities across Nigeria.
“Climate change is no longer a future threat. It is already affecting millions of Nigerians through flooding, drought, desertification, deforestation, extreme heat, pollution and water scarcity,” Yakubu said.
He explained that the worsening environmental crisis was having direct consequences for agriculture, food production, livelihoods and public health, stressing that political leaders must move beyond rhetoric and provide practical solutions.
Yakubu further noted that environmental degradation had forced thousands of Nigerians to abandon or become displaced from their communities, citing bush burning, deforestation, gully erosion and other forms of environmental destruction as major contributors.
He called on political aspirants to make specific and measurable environmental promises in their manifestos.
According to him, such commitments should include large-scale tree planting and forest restoration, investment in clean energy, climate-smart agriculture, effective waste management, flood-control measures and stronger protection of the nation’s water resources.
The climate advocate also urged Nigerian voters, particularly young people, to scrutinise the environmental policies of candidates before casting their ballots.
He said the #Vote4Climate Initiative was designed to expand climate advocacy across Nigeria’s 36 states by encouraging politicians to adopt policies capable of protecting vulnerable communities and building long-term environmental resilience.
The initiative has attracted the support of several environmental and civil society groups, including Global Climate Youth and Environment, Kaduna Metro-Environmental Initiative and Green Connection, among others.
Yakubu said the coalition would continue its advocacy visits to political aspirants across Kaduna State, urging them to incorporate climate change mitigation and environmental protection into their campaign manifestos.
He wished all political contestants well ahead of the elections, while stressing that candidates’ positions on environmental issues would be closely monitored by the coalition.
Responding to the delegation, Senator Shehu Sani pledged his support for initiatives aimed at protecting the environment and making Kaduna a greener and more sustainable state.
Sani also urged young Nigerians to participate actively and peacefully in the democratic process, calling on voters to make informed choices and reject political thuggery before, during and after the 2027 elections.
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