.PWD deserve more elective positions – Epele

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – AHEAD of the 2027 general elections, an election observer, TAF Africa, Tuesday, called for inclusivity in the electoral process with the launch of Able2Run – Electability Campaign.

The launch was made during a press conference, which the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, TAF Africa, Jake Epelle, stressed that with the over 34.9 million Persons With Disabilities, PWDs, the disability community deserve more elective positions and not appointive.

Epelle pointed out that, “This number represents not only a significant demographic constituency, but also a powerful electoral force capable of influencing political outcomes and shaping governance at every level.”

He also explained the essence of the launch, “TAF Africa is proud to launch the Able2Run – Electability Campaign to see the estimated 34 million Persons With Disability in Nigeria actively participate in politics, not only as voters, but as aspirants, candidates, elected officials, and leaders at all levels of governance.

“The Able2Run campaign seeks to deepen the national conversation on disability inclusion in governance and confront deeply rooted stereotypes that equate disability with inability. Disability is not incapacity.

He expressed displeasure over the disenfranchisement PWDs face in Nigeria and how they are kept at the back-burner in Nigeria’s democratic development, which they re also bona fide citizens of Nigeria with all constitutional rights to vote and be voted for.

“The real barriers for persons with disabilities are the structural and societal obstacles that limit participation. Across the world, history has shown that disability does not diminish leadership capacity.”

He continued, “According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 16% of the global population lives with one form of disability or another. Applying this estimate to Nigeria’s projected population of over 232 million people means that Nigeria has an estimated 34.9 million persons with disabilities.

“This number represents not only a significant demographic constituency, but also a powerful electoral force capable of influencing political outcomes and shaping governance at every level.

“For perspective, the total votes secured by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election were approximately 8.8 million, a number far fewer than the estimated number of persons with disabilities in Nigeria. This comparison underscores a critical point on the strength this constituency possess.

He also said the political parties and Nigerians should ensure adequate mobilisation and politically organise persons with disabilities ahead of the election in terms of contesting and also coming out to vote because they “represent a voting bloc large enough to both influence elections, and potentially produce elected leaders at every level.”

He lamented that, “Yet, despite these numbers and the potential, the political inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria remains alarmingly disheartening.

“TAF Africa’s recent comprehensive national studies on the political participation of persons with disabilities between 2019 and 2025 reveal a troubling pattern of exclusion and underrepresentation.”

In his call to action, he said Persons With Disabilities across Nigeria should “rise boldly and participate actively in politics”, saying, “aspiring politicians with disabilities to reject fear, silence, and self-doubt. Your disability does not diminish your leadership potential. Nigeria needs your voice, your ideas, your competence, and your lived experiences in governance.”

He also called on political parties to adopt deliberate disability inclusion policies, including affirmative action measures and disability quotas for elective and appointive positions.

“Political parties must make their offices, campaigns, meetings, and communication materials accessible to all. Membership forms and party information should be available in braille, large print, audio, and other accessible formats.

“We further call on political parties to make nomination forms affordable for persons with disabilities and to waive discriminatory financial barriers that continue to exclude qualified aspirants with disabilities from contesting elections”, he said.

Meanwhile, TAF Africa boss demanded INEC establish and enforce clear disability inclusion guidelines binding on all political parties and electoral stakeholders.

He further stated that, “INEC must also urgently update and strengthen its voter register to accurately capture disability-disaggregated data that reflects the true voting population of persons with disabilities in Nigeria.”

The organization also said the Federal Government and all state governments should fully implement the provisions of the Disability Act 2018 and ensure that accessibility and inclusion become central pillars of Nigeria’s democratic framework.

“Government institutions must also provide technical and institutional support that enables persons with disabilities to participate fully in public life and governance.

“We urge Nigerians to reject stereotypes and support competent candidates with disabilities seeking public office. Leadership is about vision, integrity, competence, and service, not physical condition.

“We call on religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, youth groups, women’s groups, and the media to become active champions of disability-inclusive democracy”, he stated.