PWDs in Nigeria Demand Political Inclusion and Office Contests

On Tuesday, during the launch of the Able2Run electoral campaign in Abuja, persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria expressed their intent to contest for elective offices, moving beyond mere voter participation. The campaign, organized by Taf Africa with support from the European Union, aims to enhance political representation for PWDs.

Jake Epel, Chief Executive Officer of Taf Africa, highlighted that despite their significant population, PWDs have been historically excluded from the political process. He noted that approximately 35 million Nigerians are living with disabilities, yet only four individuals with disabilities have held elective office since 1999, representing less than 0.1% of elected positions.

Esrom Ajanya from the Kukah Centre pointed out the low representation of women with disabilities in politics and criticized the tokenistic political appointments. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was commended for its efforts towards inclusivity, although challenges remain in implementing transparent and credible elections.