The Executive Secretary, Office of Kogi State of Disability Rights Board has pledged with National Executive Committee (NEC) All Progressive Congress to make nomination form free for persons with disabilities (PWDs) across the country who wish to contest the 2023 general election on the platform of the party.
The Executive Secretary, Kogi State Office of the Disability, Barr. Zacchaeus Dare Michael made the appeal in a chat with newsmen, he praised the National Executive Committee of the Party for making the forms free for women who wish to contest.
He described PWDs as the most vulnerable group in the country and one way to integrate them into the society is to make the nomination forms free for them.
Speaking further, he said that over 25million PWDs in the country have one form of disability or the other and one key area of the Disability Act signed by President Mohammadu Buhari emphasized on inclusiveness of PWDs in Political process.
He described PWDs as a segment of the society that have been neglected for too long and they are among the poorest of the poor so, it would be difficult for them to purchase the party ‘s nomination forms in view of their vulnerability and financial constraints.
He wondered where PWDs can get the money to purchase nomination forms.
He also stated that even though many of PWDs are graduates and intelligent, raising the money will be a challenge.
He urged that the forms be made available for PWDs for free to contest in what ever capacity they may want to, pointing out that through that way they can be integrated into the society.
The Executive Secretary made case that PWDs are among the majority voters during elections, and this gesture will encourage them to participate more actively in political process.
