The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), has applauded the All Progressives Congress (APC) for electing Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) into its National Working Committee (NWC).
APC held its national convention on March 26 in Abuja where the election was held.
Mr. David Anyaele, CCD’s Executive Director gave the commendation in a statement issued in Abuja.
“We commend the APC for electing Mr. Tolu Bankole, Ogun State, as the party’s PWDs leader and the election of the other six PWD zonal leaders at the convention.
“We congratulate the seven PWDs elected to the National Working Committee of the APC.
“By this singular act, APC has once again demonstrated that the inclusion of citizens with disabilities in the party’s hierarchy and affairs is profitable if we must experience inclusive, good governance in Nigeria,’’ he stated.
Anyaele added that the party had set a new standard of inclusiveness worthy of emulation by other political parties.
He stated also that the APC was setting a crucial example for other parties on how to implement Section 30 of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act 2018.
Section 30 of the Act provides that PWDs shall be fully encouraged to participate in the nation’s politics and public life.
“Government shall actively promote an environment in which Persons with Disabilities can effectively and fully participate in activities and administration of political parties,’’ the section states.
Anyaele stated that it was imperative that other political parties emulated the APC in the integration of vulnerable groups, particularly Persons with Disabilities in political party activities.
“APC was able to achieve this because inclusiveness is in the party’s Constitution,’’ he stated.
He urged other parties to follow suit and not treat matters of PWDs and the inclusion of vulnerable groups from a charity point of vi