The day of reckoning has finally come for politicians who are not Ogoni friendly. The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, ERA/FoEN, is urging Nigerians not to vote for lawmakers currently seeking re-election who are known to have thwarted the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, or the implementation of the United National Environment Programme, UNEP, report on Ogoniland.

Philips Iakpor, head of Media, ERA/FoEN, said the decision became crucial in view of the delayed passage of the PIB and the controversies over several key clauses at both chambers of the National Assembly. Godwin Ojo, executive director, ERA/FoEN said, “we are determined more than ever before that the upcoming election is another opportunity for the electorate to demonstrate people power. Lawmakers who booby-trapped the PIB and the UNEP report implementation will not get the votes of the electorate,” he said.

Ojo further explained that the PIB remains the most anticipated legislation in Nigeria’s legislative history. “Since its submission in 2008 during the sixth National Assembly by former President Shehu Musa Yar’ Adua, the bill has not been passed because of the many loopholes instigated by oil corporations and some lawmakers who feel the legislation threatened the existing structure which allows corruption and lack of transparency,” he added.