In a heartfelt plea, the Kogi Central Persons with Disabilities Association has called on the Kogi State All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Hon. Alhaji Abdullahi Bello, to reconsider recent party decisions impacting their community.
In an open letter signed by the President, Comr. Yakubu Nazir Abdulhakeem, the association expressed concerns over the lack of consideration for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the allocation of interest and nomination forms, despite APC’s efforts to promote inclusivity for women and marginalized communities.
The association highlighted the APC’s commendable precedent of reducing costs for nomination forms to encourage the participation of women and PWDs. However, they pointed out that the current framework disproportionately favors women, leaving PWDs without designated allocations. This oversight, they argue, undermines the spirit of inclusivity and represents a form of discrimination against the disabled community in Kogi State.
The association also appealed to His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, and other APC stakeholders to address this pressing issue. They emphasized the importance of PWD participation in the upcoming Kogi State Local Government Elections to demonstrate their abilities and potential as active contributors to society. The association called for policy changes to foster an environment where all individuals, regardless of their physical limitations, can contribute to governance and community development.
The letter stressed the need to view disability as an aspect of human diversity that should be embraced and celebrated, rather than a barrier to political participation. The association urged the APC to reflect on their requests and take necessary actions to promote inclusivity within the party in Kogi State, advocating for a future where everyone is empowered to participate and contribute to the state’s progress.