TVC E, POLITICS – Political differences are threatening to scuttle plans by the Federal Government to begin the environmental restoration of Ogoni communities in Rivers State.
Candidates have continued to use every public gathering to score political points ahead of the March 19th re-run legislative elections in the state.
The town hall meeting was going as planned with contributions from various interest groups.
But the smooth sail of the meeting was altered when it was the turn of politicians to make their contributions.
Olaka Wogu of the PDP won the 2015 election for the Rivers South East Senatorial District.
But come March 19th, he will be contesting in the re-run poll following the nullification of his election by the appeal court.
He attempted to use the opportunity of the meeting to campaign even as he called for swift implementation of the United Nations Environment Program, UNEP, report.
Unfortunately for him,this did not go down well with many Ogonis who are not too disposed to a
further attempt to politicize the remediation of their environment.
Magnus Abe of the APC lost last year to Olaka Wogu of the PDP but still has a shot at the Senate in the forthcoming re-run election.
Apparently in a bid to take advantage of the situation, he said the interest of the people must not be sacrificed on the alter of political interests.
Based on their individual understandings of the workings of Government, both candidates also differed on the provision for the clean up of Ogoni Land in the 2016 budget.
While Wogu believes the implementation of the UNEP report will not be actualized unless provided for in the budget, his opponent has a contrary view.
Abe said with political will government can intervene in similar manner it did during the outbreak of epidemics in the country.
