Officers of the Nigeria Police Force have dispersed Persons with Disabilities, PWDs who were protesting at the National Assembly complex this afternoon.
They made their way to the main lobby of the assembly where police officers fired tear gas on them.
Irritated by the action of police, the protesters removed their clothes and attacked a sergeant-at-arms with their crutches and a chair.
Spokesperson of the protesters, Amos Etim, said they were demonstrating because members of the senate and house of representatives who promised to meet with them failed to do so.
According to The Cable, Etim, who said he came from Rivers state to Abuja, stated they are demanding what is theirs because they have been marginalised.
“We are representatives of the Niger Delta. We came here to demand for what is ours because in everything we have been marginalised – even jobs we don’t have. We were here when the disability bill was passed into law but since we gave these people our proposal they have not listened to us,” he said.
“Presently what is causing this confusion is that our delegates came yesterday and they had a good dialogue with the senate and the house, and they were told that they would be provided with a Hilux to pick up only the executive to come meet with them for a dialogue.
“We have waited, nothing. This is why we are here,” he added.
While addressing the protesters, Senate Deputy Chief whip, Abdullahi Sabi, explained that there was mix up in the allocated time to meet with PWDs yesterday and that the leadership of the Senate did not intend to ignore them.
“Yesterday we were supposed to see you but there was a mistake in the timing. It is not that we did not plan to see you.”
“We have heard your plights, the entire senate is sitting and we will address your concerns,” he mentioned.
He urged them to be orderly and channel their complaints through the proper channel, association or commission.
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