Abuja, Nigeria — The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has called on the National Assembly to urgently integrate recent research findings on accessibility and disability inclusion into Nigeria’s electoral laws.
Speaking at the public presentation of key research reports organized by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) and the CARE Foundation, Hon. Isa—represented by his Director of Media and Communications, Mr. Lanre Oloyede—described the reports as “timely and vital” to advancing the political participation of millions of Nigerians with disabilities.
“For me, the real impact of this research lies in translating it into enforceable policies,” he said. “Without legal backing, inclusion remains just a dream.”
He commended WFD and CARE Foundation for their rigorous validation process, noting that it lends both credibility and international relevance to the findings. Drawing from his political experience, Isa acknowledged the multifaceted challenges persons with disabilities face before, during, and after elections, ranging from physical barriers to discrimination, financial limitations, and security concerns.
Highlighting some of the report’s startling statistics, he noted that only 22.4% of political party offices have ramps, just 10.2% feature tactile signs, and the majority of digital platforms remain inaccessible. Additionally, 80% of persons with disabilities (PWDs) who ran for office reported experiencing discrimination. “These barriers are unacceptable and must be removed,” he stressed.
Reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to inclusive governance, he referenced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing that it is “not just a slogan, but our guiding principle.”
Hon. Isa also welcomed the goodwill message delivered by the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Mr. Yusuf Dantalle, who reiterated IPAC’s support for political inclusion. Dantalle announced initiatives such as the creation of directorates for women, youth, and PWDs within political parties, advocacy for reserved seats, and the push for free nomination forms for PWD candidates.
The event underscored the importance of inclusive political reform. Isa concluded by calling for sustained collaboration between government, civil society, and political parties to ensure that persons with disabilities are not only participants in democracy—but leaders actively shaping its future.
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