The Directorate of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has declared its readiness to mobilise at least five million votes to secure victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the coming 2027 presidential election.
Speaking yesterday after the second inaugural leadership meeting of the directorate in Abuja the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities Muhammad Isa said the PWD community remained an integral pillar of the current administration.
He hailed President Tinubu for establishing a dedicated presidential office for special needs and integrating persons with disabilities into party and government structures at the federal and state levels.
‘I want to use this medium to commend President Tinubu for creating the Directorate for Persons with Disabilities in line with the belief that no one should be left behind. The community of persons with disabilities is an integral part of this administration.
‘APC is the only party that has prioritised the rights of the disability community in Nigeria. Currently almost 29 states have signed and established agencies to safeguard the lives of persons with disabilities. The community is ready to come out in force and re-elect President Tinubu so he can continue his good reforms.’
Addressing questions on voter strength and electoral logistics Isa said the political weight of the disability community extended beyond standard estimates.
He said engagements were ongoing with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address accessibility and voting rights at polling units nationwide.
‘To win an election is all about strategy and organisation and we are well-organised. From our directorate we are going to mobilise at least five million votes for President Tinubu.
‘We have been engaging with INEC to ensure accessibility in the electoral process-how wheelchair users visually impaired voters and others can cast their ballots seamlessly so that no person with a disability is disenfranchised. We are a strong political mass and we are ready to deliver’ Isa said.
APC National Leader for Persons with Disabilities and Co-Director of the Directorate Aare Durotolu Bankole reiterated the party’s confidence ahead of the general election declaring that rival political parties lacked the structure to challenge the ruling party.
He said: ‘We are committed to putting in our best to ensure the re-election of the President and all APC candidates comes with a big vote margin. In APC we are confident. We want to show clearly to the world that APC is the only ready party in Nigeria. Others know they are not ready and cannot win this election; they will only make media noise. We are here to strategise and tell the world that in 2027 there is no vacancy in Aso Rock.’
Highlighting gender inclusion within the campaign hierarchy the Deputy Director for Women with Disabilities Lois Auta who is also a board member of the Maryam Abacha National Centre for Women Development lauded the party for giving women with disabilities a prominent seat at the decision-making table.
‘President Tinubu has done well for persons with disabilities including women. He established the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and work is ongoing on the Reserved Seats Bill for women and PWDs. This is the first time a political party is having a dedicated woman with disability in the PCC Directorate leadership. We are proud of this inclusiveness. We have the numerical strength and the political power to ensure the re-election of President Tinubu.’
The meeting was attended by stakeholders including the Directorate Secretary Misbahu Didi and the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities Ayuba Gufwan underscoring the party’s organised structure to mobilise disability support nationwide.