Inclusion Must Go Beyond Fee Cuts, APC PWD Leader Demands Seats in Power

Inclusion Must Go Beyond Fee Cuts, APC PWD Leader Demands Seats in Power

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The National Leader of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Tolu Bankole, has urged political leaders to move beyond symbolic gestures and guarantee real representation for PWDs in governance structures across the country.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Bankole acknowledged recent steps taken by the ruling All Progressives Congress under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to improve inclusion, but insisted that more decisive action is needed.

He noted that measures such as the 50 per cent reduction in nomination fees for PWD aspirants and the introduction of social support and skills programmes by some state governments indicate growing awareness of the need for inclusivity.

However, he argued that such initiatives, while commendable, fall short of ensuring meaningful participation in governance.

“Reducing nomination fees is important, but inclusion cannot stop at access to forms. It must extend to access to power, representation, and decision making,” he said.

Bankole called on party leaders and stakeholders nationwide to adopt deliberate policies that would guarantee the presence of PWDs in legislative and executive positions.

He specifically advocated the allocation of a defined number of elective seats to qualified PWD members, stressing that the community has a strong pool of capable individuals ready to contribute to governance.

“Our party must go further by deliberately ceding a fair number of legislative seats at both the state and federal levels to PWDs in a representative and strategic manner,” he stated.

The APC chieftain also pushed for broader inclusion in executive appointments, saying governance structures must reflect the diversity of society.

“This deliberate inclusion must not be limited to legislative positions alone. Executive roles at all levels must also reflect this commitment. Inclusion must be seen, felt, and measured,” he added.

Drawing comparisons with other regions, Bankole pointed to countries where disability inclusion has gained traction through legal and institutional backing, contrasting it with Nigeria’s situation where representation of PWDs in public office remains below one per cent.

He attributed the gap not to lack of competence, but to insufficient political will.

“Now is the time for intentional, structured, and measurable inclusion. We must not wait until it becomes too late to correct systemic exclusion,” he warned.

Bankole reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the political rights of PWDs and expressed confidence that the APC could set the pace for inclusive governance in Nigeria.