Kogi State Office for Disability Affairs (KOSODA) has commended the All Progressive Congress, APC, for making nomination forms free for all Persons with Disabilities wishing to contest for any political office in Nigeria.
Chairman of KOSODA, Hon Arome Ibro, had two weeks ago appealed to the national leadership of the party for free nomination and intent forms for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the country.
Upon his appeal, APC National Disabled Leader, Hon Tolu Bankole and the counterpart North East Zonal leader for Persons with Disabilities, Comrade Mohammed Abba Isa had called in to inform him that the request was conveyed to the National Leadership.
Few days after the calls, the broom party, in its inclusive nature had announced that the nomination form has been made free for PWDs in Nigeria.
Asked how he got wind of the news, Ibro said “I did not even hear the announcement, I was called from the office and the executive secretary, Kogi State office for Disability Affairs called me too. As it is free at national level, it will be so at the State level. That is the confidence we have in APC. It is now free for women and PWDs” he said.
In a joint statement made available to INN, the Executive Secretary, KOSODA, Barr Zacchaeus Dare and the Chairman, Hon Arome Ibro, appreciated the National Leadership of APC for the kind gesture – noting that APC is the only party in the history of Nigeria that has given full ground for inclusion of PWDs.
KOSODA assured that the Disability Community in Nigeria will ever remain committed to praying for the leadership of APC at all levels and for a continuation of the spirit of inclusion.
Ibro urged Persons with Disabilities to take advantage of the opportunity by vying for political posts and get involved in active politics.
“As a Person with Disability, I encourage my fellow men and women with Disabilities to participate fully in active politics.
“This is no more the time to use our disabilities as an excuse not to participate in a field of human endeavour.
“What really makes a man disabled are barriers (social, economic, psychological, finance etc). APC has now taken away the financial barriers – thereby making the nomination form available for PWDs.
“Secondly, disability is not guarantee for us to practice anti-party system. As a man or woman with Disability, we must be known for a political party right from the grassroots (our wards) to the National level. Be a member of the party with your membership card and have your PVC.
“It is high time we demonstrate ability in our disabilities politically.” He said.
Ibro also praised the party for listening to the voices of PWDs and urged other political parties to emulate the party’s true and total inclusive nature.
“To the APC which is the political party I belong today, we will continue to appreciate and support them for heeding our request in short period of time after the announcement of free forms for women.
“APC, to me and to everyone – especially Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria who know what we have passed through in the area of discrimination and stigmatization, should pass for the best party ever since independence (1960).
“The APC, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, established the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities. It was under the same government that the party was restructured to include PWDs right from the national level down to ward level. No political party has done this in the history of Nigeria.
To the APC, I say thank you for believing that we are created by the same God and for believing in the Ability embedded in Disability.
“Under APC, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello established an office for Disability Affairs and some other states did same.
“A big thank you to APC for giving Persons with Disabilities a voice. I urge other political parties to emulate APC in this area of true and total Inclusion”, Ibro concluded.