Hundreds of People with Disability (PWDs) under the aegis of Association of Persons Living With Disability (APLWD) in Adamawa State, on Tuesday flooded the streets of Yola with indignation, staging a peaceful protest over “government’s insensitivity, rejection and marginalization”.
The association had last week accused the State Government of deceit, saying, after helping Fintiri win 2019 elections, his government abandoned them in the lurch.
While issuing Fintiri’s administration a seven-day ultimatum to redress the anomaly or face their wrath, Chairman of the association, Engineer Sani Sabo who spoke to our correspondent on behalf of the protesting members, said, “members of the association have thrown their weight behind the government following mouth watering promises it made to them in the build up last year’s general elections but noted with regret that the Governor had consistently refused to meet with them, let alone give them any political appointment.
Sabo said their resolve to stage peaceful protest followed the expiration of the seven day ultimatum earlier issued the government.
Expressing the disappointment of his group, Sabo said the government has breached an agreement it reached with his members to carry them along for the support they rendered in the run up to the elections.
The Chief of Staff, Adamawa State Government House, Yola, Professor Maxwell Gidado who was at hand to receive the protesters at the Government House urged them to exercise patience over their demand for inclusion in governance.
He commended them for conducting themselves peacefully with a promise that the governor would see them in January 2021.
“This is the end of the year, the governor is fully engaged with a lot of activities needing his attention.
“But we promise to formally see your executives, there are COVID-19 protocols in place so we cannot see you all at this time”, he reasoned.
Gidado acknowledged the protesters contribution towards the electoral victory of the incumbent administration, promising that the Government will not disappoint them.