The Centre for Disability Rights, Empowerment and Development (CDRED), a leading indigenous disability rights organisation in Bayelsa State, has engaged the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state on promoting the political participation and inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The engagement took place during a courtesy visit to the APC Bayelsa State Chairman by a CDRED delegation led by its Executive Director and Lead Advocate, Mr. Godsgift Fekosufa, alongside the organisation’s Secretary-General, Osain Edward Igbogikimi.
During the visit, CDRED presented the APC chairman with its Award for Inclusive Political Participation in recognition of his willingness to engage persons with disabilities and provide them with an opportunity to interact with the party’s state leadership. The award was presented at the instance of the State Leader of Persons with Disabilities, Hon. Agbozu Undutimi Undus.
CDRED noted that disability inclusion must extend beyond welfare programmes and economic empowerment to encompass meaningful participation in politics, leadership and public decision-making. The organisation stressed that persons with disabilities must have opportunities to contribute to decisions affecting their lives and communities.
In his response, the APC state chairman expressed appreciation for the recognition and reaffirmed the party’s commitment to the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in its activities and decision-making processes.
He highlighted the establishment of a dedicated campaign directorate for persons with disabilities, as well as the party’s recent engagement with the disability community through its State Working Committee, as evidence of its commitment to inclusive political participation.
The chairman also emphasised the need to create more opportunities for persons with disabilities to be heard, represented and actively involved in the political process.
CDRED reaffirmed its commitment to constructive advocacy, dialogue and collaboration with political parties and other stakeholders to advance disability rights, equal opportunities and inclusive governance across Bayelsa State.
The engagement forms part of the organisation’s sustained efforts to ensure that persons with disabilities are not merely recipients of political promises but active participants in leadership, governance and democratic processes.
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