Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Ondo State have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election ahead of the 2027 presidential election, declaring their readiness to mobilise support for his administration across the 18 local government areas of the state.
The endorsement was announced on Tuesday at a declaration programme organised by the Asiwaju Mandate Group (AMG), a Pro-Tinubu support group, in Akure, the state capital.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Ondo State Agency for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities, Princess Folasade Arije, said the disability community appreciated the federal government for recognising the contributions and rights of PWDs.
Arije said the appointment of a Special Adviser on disability matters, among other initiatives, had strengthened the confidence of the group in the Tinubu administration.
She said the endorsement was not only about political support but also an appeal for government to do more to improve the living conditions of persons with disabilities.
‘We, persons with disabilities in Ondo State across the 18 local government areas, are here to declare our support for our President and his second-term bid.
‘We appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for promoting inclusiveness and giving persons with disabilities a sense of belonging in governance,’ Arise said.
According to her, the decision to support President Tinubu’s administration was due to its efforts to promote inclusion and give persons with disabilities greater participation in governance.
She appealed to the Federal government to expand its empowerment initiatives to enable PWDs to become economically self-reliant, calling for more empowerment programmes and increased representation of persons with disabilities in government.
Arije also lauded the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for his support for persons with disabilities, particularly in Ondo State.
She, however, urged the government to sustain its inclusion policies while introducing more programmes focused on skills acquisition, employment, entrepreneurship and political representation for persons with disabilities.
Also speaking, a leader of the disability community, Babatunde Gbalajobi, called for greater political inclusion of PWDs, stressing that the community should not be regarded merely as beneficiaries of government assistance.
Gbalajobi urged governments at all levels to create more opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate actively in governance and decision-making.
He said PWDs possessed the capacity to contribute meaningfully to national development if given the necessary opportunities and support.
The State Coordinator of the Asiwaju Mandate Group, Asiwaju Olumuyiwa Asagunla, said the programme was organised following calls from leaders of the disability community for the group to support their mobilisation efforts.
Asagunla said the PWDs had expressed their willingness to mobilise their members across the 18 local government areas for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.
He, however, said the endorsement underscored the growing support for the President among various groups in the state.