A Person with Disability (PWD) aspirant under the All Progressives Congress, (APC) for Kaura Constituency in Kaduna State Assembly, Lois Auta-Udonkanta, has vowed to genuinely serve her constituency if elected by drafting policies that will favour vulnerable groups.
She stated this during a press conference held in her honour by the National Association of Persons with Physical Disability, (NAPWPD) in Kaduna on Wednesday.
Auta however, noted that to do more, it’s a necessity she sits on the same table with those who are drafting the policies and legislations, saying “I must sit on the same table with those who are negotiating and taking decisions on all issues affecting humanity.”
According to her, “As I have said in various fora during my consultations with stakeholders, as a member of Kaduna State Assembly, I promise to explore and exploit my international contacts and global networks to bridge noticeable existing development gaps in Kaura Constituency, the Disability community and community of Women and Girls.”
Speaking with Daily News Precise shortly after the event, Hon Auta informed that she was inspired to contest for the seat to become a member of the state assembly to enable her initiate, and draft policies that will favour the vulnerable groups.
According to her, “For too long the vulnerable groups has been sideline, excluded, discriminated against, marginalized, traumatized and underrepresented in government policies, and political participation.”
Auta who was so elated by the kind gesture disclosed that she was never informed and had no idea of such a plan, that her frontline constituency – NAPWPD was organizing a press conference in support of her candidacy. “For NAPWPD Kaduna State chapter to go this far in support of my political aspiration, to push for my candidacy, speaks volume. This means that PWDs have come of age. It means the political participation of PWDs will never again in history be dismissed with a wave of hand.
“It also speaks volume of their individual’s and several endorsement of my person as a worthy representative of not only people of Kaura Constituency of Southern Kaduna, but also a worthy representative of the entire disability Community the world over. I’m deeply honoured. In or out of office, I will never take this honour for granted,” she vowed.
The Kaduna State Assembly hopeful, paid glowing tribute to the APC led Federal Government, headed by President Muhammadu Buhari. “With the Disability Act of December, 2018, they have formally adopted us – PWDs, into the society as equal citizens with equal rights and privileges. And today, with the Disability Commission, we have a voice that resonates just as loud as that of any other citizen in our society.”
In a related development, a statement issued and signed by the National President of NAPWPD, Comrade Rilwan Abdullahi, called on delegates from Kaura Constituency to give their massive support to Hon Lois Auta, and make sure she emerge APC flag bearer in the forthcoming party primaries come May 22, 2022.
“APC has demonstrated the inclusion of people with disabilities in the party’s hierarchy and affairs this was manifested during the party convention where Person With Disabilities (PWD) were elected to represent National Disability Leaders at National level, zonal level, state level, Local Government level and Wards level respectively,” the statement read.
The statement further called on leadership of the party in the state to give her the much needed support, to prove that there’s inclusion in the APC.
The statement equally urged all members of the association to intensify prayers to ensure victory for Person With Disabilities, (PWDs) aspirants.