An Organization of Persons With Disabilities known as Centre for Ability Rehabilitation and Empowerment CARE has condemned the attempt to hide under the guise of disability to disqualify Senator Dr. Tanko Al-makura by APC from contesting the Chairman of the Nigerian ruling party.
The founder and CEO of CARE, Dr. Chike Okogwu on a voice note sent to TQM expressed his dismay over the news going round that some people opposed to the candidature of Senator Almakura in the APC are pressuring the party to disqualify the Senator on the ground that he has hearing impairment and he may not perform optimally as the Chairman of the party.
He said that for the fact that Senator Almakura has hearing impairment, it hasn’t stopped him from achieving so much in life, a two times governor of Nasarawa State and a senator representing his constituency.
He also said that Senator Al-makura is a person with disability but he is competent and Disability doesn’t signify incompetence so APC should note that it amounts to discrimination if they take that step and they should look inward and encourage PWDs to thrive in their party.
He recalled that President Buhari gave persons with disabilities a law protecting their rights which is a plus to APC, so they should not begin to discriminating persons with disabilities.
“So, the inclusion of Persons With Disabilities should not be playing lip service by APC, the party should work the talk”
CARE frowns at the development because if it is allowed to fly, more persons with disabilities will suffer the same fate and as a matter of inclusion, APC will not only allow Senator Almakura to contest, they should ensure that he emerge as the Chairman.
He also said that this development has vindicated him because he could recall raising alarm about Tinubu and Osinbanjo when they didn’t mention persons with disabilities during their respective Presidential declarations. It is an indication that a lot still need to be done about disability inclusion.
