PWDs decry exclusion in ministerial list, call for inclusive governance
Persons with Disabilities on Tuesday decried exclusion from the ministerial list submitted by President Bola Tinubu to the Senate.
The Senate on Monday approved and confirmed 45 out of the 48 nominees sent by the President.
Speaking at a joint conference, the Community of PWDs said their omission was not in accordance with the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities Prohibition Act, 2018 which calls for the inclusion of at least five per cent of the PWDs in public office appointments.
The community said, “The recent ministerial list proposed by President Bola Tinubu has unfortunately overlooked the integral role that the PWDs can and should play in Nigeria’s 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 the PWDs in the new cabinet list deflates the hope and anticipation fostered by several organisations of PWDs, alongside other political leaders and the international community.
The community, 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.”
The community of PWDs include The All-rights Foundation Africa; Disability Rights Advocacy Center; Inclusive Friends Association; Center for Ability, Rehabilitation, and Empowerment; Freky Andrew-Essien Care Foundation; The Qualitative Magazine; the Albinism Association of Nigeria; Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities; National Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities; Cedarseed Foundation; Network of Women with Disabilities; and Alliance for Inclusion.
Punchng.com
