The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, (PWDs), James Lalu, says the role of PWDs in the 2023 general election in Nigeria is indispensable.
Lalu announced that with a growing population of over 35 million in Nigeria, the voting strength of PWDs cannot be undermined.
Speaking in Abuja, Nigeria at a roundtable organized by the Policy and Legal Authority Centre, (PLAC), on the implementation of the electoral Act in relations to Persons with Disabilities, Mr. Lalu urged all PWDs who have secured their voter’s card to come out in their numbers vote in the coming elections.
He enjoined them to take their destinies into their hands by exercising their franchise, insisting that PWDs do not have any locus standi to complain of being marginalized when they don’t participate in the polls to elect their choice of leaders.
“Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law in February 2022, the new Electoral Act to govern the conduct of elections in Nigeria. This law provided the missing link for inclusion of PWDs as well as the most vulnerable in the country to have a say during the electoral cycle” he pointed out.
Speaking further, the NCPWD boss restated that the voter card remains the license and a veritable tool to change the narrative for the betterment of the community of PWDs across board.
He however, debunked the 85,000 meagre figure being circulated in media as representing the voting population of PWDs in Nigeria and urged INEC to make adequate provisions for inclusivity and accessibility for onward participation of PWDs in the elections.
Addressing the participants earlier, the Executive Director, PLAC, Mr. Clement Nwankwo described the platform as a means of enlightenment and monitoring of the entire process of elections in Nigeria.
“This is a wakeup call to all PWDs to see themselves as part of the governing process in the country without feeling less valued,” he said.
The programme themed: “Tracking implementation of inclusivity in the 2023 general elections” was aimed at sensitizing Persons with Disabilities across the country for visible participations at the forthcoming polls.
