- PWDs protest in Abuja, denounce exclusion in Tinubu’s ministerial list, citing violation of disability rights and representation laws
- Advocates demand enforcement of disability quota, inclusive decision-making processes, emphasize missed opportunity for equality and justice
A group of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) protested in Abuja on Tuesday, decrying the exclusion of persons in the categorical in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposed ministerial list.
In a joint press conference, the PWD community claimed that their omission violated the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities Prohibition Act of 2018, which required including at least 5% of PWDs in public office appointments.
The Senate confirmed 45 of President Tinubu’s 48 ministerial nominees on Monday.
Among those who spoke at the event were TAF Africa’s Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Jake Epelle, and Grace Jerry, Executive Director of the Inclusive Friends Association (IFA).
In their joint statement, they said;
The recent ministerial list proposed by President Bola Tinubu has unfortunately overlooked the integral role that PWDs can and should play in Nigerian governance.
The current lack of representation in the Federal Executive Council marks a missed opportunity to advance equality and justice for persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
Regrettably, despite this concerted effort and appeal, the new cabinet list presented to the Senate for screening and approval includes no ministers identifying as persons with disabilities.
They noted that the absence of PWDs from the new cabinet list dampens the hope and anticipation fostered by several PWD organisations, as well as other political leaders and the international community, despite their active participation in the nation’s electoral process and the most recent 2023 general elections.
They, therefore, demanded;
An enforcement of Section 29 of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 which provides to the effect that a minimum of five per cent appointment quota for persons with disabilities at all levels of government, including states.
An inclusion of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes concerning policies that directly or indirectly affect them e.g., the palliative committee on subsidy removal.
Other groups at the meeting include TAF Africa, Disability Rights Advocacy Center (DRAC), Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), Center for Ability, Rehabilitation, and Empowerment (CARE), Freky Andrew-Essien Care Foundation (FAECARE Foundation), The Qualitative Magazine, Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN), Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), National Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities (NAPWPD), CEDARSEED FOUNDATION, Network of Women with Disabilities and Alliance for Inclusion among others.