As the 2023 general elections draw near, the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities, CCD, has urged Nigeria citizens to hold elected officials accountable for poverty reduction – adding that the poverty situation in Nigeria is man-made, mostly owing to bad governance.
David Obinna Anyaele, Executive Director, CCD made the disclosure in a press statement to commemorate the International Day of Poverty Eradication on Monday in Abuja.
Anyaele noted that the day is set aside for solidarity with people living in extreme poverty, particularly Persons with Disabilities, women, and children.
The theme of this year’s commemoration is “Dignity for All in Practice.”
Anyaele said: “while other countries of the world are taking steps to reduce poverty within their societies, the increasing number of Nigerians that are experiencing extreme poverty is very alarming.
“The most challenging aspect of this situation is that people living in poverty experience many interrelated and mutually reinforcing deprivations which prevent them from realizing their rights and perpetuate their poverty. These include, but not limited to dangerous and degrading work conditions, unsafe housing, limited access to nutritious food, limited access to justice, restricted access to political power and healthcare services, amongst others.
“This demoralizing poverty situation in Nigeria is man-made; fuelled by bad governance and corruption in the high places.
“Unfortunately, when people fall into poverty, their chance of acquiring disability also increases. Poverty has been linked to major disabilities – even as disability push families into extreme poverty.
“The current set of Nigerian leaders have failed to reduce poverty in the land.
“They have consciously or unconsciously contributed to the growing number of Persons with Disabilities due to their inability to halt the increasing number of Nigerians sinking into extreme poverty.”
Anyaele therefore called on Nigerians to make poverty reduction a key campaign issue.
He also urged Political party candidates for State Houses of Assembly, Governorship, National Assembly, and the Presidential elections to tell Nigerians how they intend to tackle the poverty curves in Nigeria.