The disability community in Kaduna State has appealed to the governor-elect, Senator Uba Sani, to appoint persons living with disabilities into his cabinet.
Representatives of the community made the appeal in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kaduna on Sunday.
They said the measure would deepen the inclusion of PLWDs in governance.
The National President, National Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities in Nigeria,Mallam Rilwan Abdullahi, said the appointments would reduce discrimination against PLWDs.
Abdullahi added that including PLWDs in Sani’s cabinet would give them the privilege to contribute their quota to the inclusive development of the state.
“We congratulate Senator Uba Sani for winning the governorship election in the state and appeal to him to reserve certain percentage of political positions for PLWDs.
“Beyond giving us the position of Special Assistant of Disability Affairs, we have competent hands that can handle any ministry, department or agencies and make a difference.
“The disability community wants Uba Sani to make history as the first governor in the state to appoint a PLWDs as commissioner and executives of agencies and parastatals,” he said.
The Kaduna State Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Mr Suleiman Abdulazeez, called on the governor-elect to fully implement the disability law signed by Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Abdulazeez noted that the law seeks to address issues of discrimination and exclusion of PLWDs in all spheres of life.
He recalled that the law was signed on April 30, 2021, after 10 years of relentless advocacy by the disability community and the media.
“The law seeks to, among other things, ensure that persons with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else in society.
“The law also guarantees equal opportunities for PLWDs in the public and private sectors to contribute their quota in the development of society.
“It also seeks to ensure that every PWD has equal access to public buildings, facilities, and services delivery.
“While El-rufai will be living a legacy of signing the law, Uba Sani should work towards living a legacy of implementing the law,” he said.
