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From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The Directorate of Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) has promised to mobilise a minimum of five million votes across the country to secure the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in next year’s presidential election.
Speaking to newsmen after the second inaugural leadership meeting of the Directorate held in Abuja, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Muhammad Abba Isa, stated that the PWD community remains an integral pillar of the current administration.
While commending President Tinubu for establishing a dedicated presidential office for special needs and ensuring the integration of persons with disabilities into the party and government structures at both federal and state levels, he assured that the community is ready to come out in force to vote for him.
“I want to use this medium to commend Mr President 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 Bola Tinubu so he can continue his good reforms,” he said.
On the controversy surrounding their voting strength, Abba Isa emphasised that the political weight of the disability community extends beyond standard estimates.
He revealed that active engagements are ongoing with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address accessibility and voting rights at all 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 Bola Ahmed 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,” Abba Isa stated.
Equally speaking, the 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 elections, declaring that rival political parties lack the structure to challenge the ruling party.
Bankole said: “We are committed to putting in our best to ensure that 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 come 2027, there is no vacancy in Aso Rock.”
While highlighting gender inclusion within the campaign hierarchy, Deputy Director for Women with Disabilities, who is also a board member of the Maryam Abacha National Centre for Women Development, Lois Auta, lauded the party for giving women with disabilities a prominent seat at the decision-making table.
” President Tinubu has done remarkably 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 Bola Tinubu,” she said.
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including the Directorate Secretary, Misbahu Lawan Didi, and the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Ayuba Burki Gufwan, underscoring the party’s organised structure to mobilise disability support nationwide.
