The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Woman leaders have charged Persons With the Disabilities (PWDs) to work together for political inclusiveness.
Ekiti state Woman leader, Hon Kemi Adesanya made the call at the workshop for the PWDs, tagged “Strengthening Inclusive Party Politics in Nigeria” organised by the Office of the PDP National Woman Leader, in partnership with the International Republican Institute (IRI), Tuesday, at the party’s National Secretariat, in Abuja.
Hon. Adesanya explained that “the essence of this meeting is to bring us together, to talk and so that the party can move forward. I want to say that there is always an ability in disability. So don’t be an object to pity in any situation.
She added that, “we all need what is happening in Nigeria, it is a faulty system. We are all in trouble. So when they come about with this theme, strengthening inclusive party politics, we must all come together to fight our way through. I don’t know how we are going to do it? But I know God will help us. Because we don’t have a people oriented government, poverty is sinking hard on everybody.
“But we can strategically do something. You and I have to come together, we must bring along our people because no politics can be done in isolation. Together we can do this, she said.
Earlier in her remarks, PDP deputy national woman leader, Hajia Umoru Hadizat encouraged the participants (PWDs) to participate in politics.
She urged them to ” just be yourself and see yourself as that person who is able and capable. Avoid any form of intimidation and harassment from any person. I believe with God in ourselves, whatever we want to do, we can.
The IRI Resident Program Director, Angee Wambugu, admitted that there is still a lot that can be done by PDP, especially by providing them a seat within the executive working committee of the party.
Wambugu was represented by IRI adviser, Sunday Alao, noted that “PDP is the oldest political party in this fourth republic. And incidentally in the areas of inclusion there are still gaps in the areas of inclusion and one of the group within the marginalized community that is yet to be fully accommodated within the PDP is the Persons With Disabilities(PWDs).
Wambugu continued, “I will recognise the fact that there was improvement during the 2016 constitutional amendment when compared to the previous provision, especially the 2012. But there is still a lot that can be done, especially by providing them a seat within the executive working committee of the party.
“So what we want to do, is to look at where there are still gaps in terms of inclusion in the party Constitution. So that when the party is considering an idea of amending the Constitution, we already have recommendations from the person with disabilities.
“So IRI is bringing a few people together, to initiate the conversation and come up with ways on how to enhance the participation of persons with disabilities within political parties. Because the belief is that you can not achieve effective political participation in the electoral process if you are not part of the political party process”.
