Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) in the All Progressives Congress (APC) has promised to set up campaign council to mobilize support for the party presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The APC PWDs in a communique issued at the end of a meeting with its National and zonal leaders held at the party’s headquarters Abuja, a copy of which was made available to CAPITAL POST on Saturday, said, because of their passion and commitment towards a progressive government and trust in the BAT/Shettima agenda, they are charting a different course from what the PWDs is known for.
According to them, their support for the party will also be extended to all candidates of the APC at various levels.
They further assured of mass mobilization of members for the collection of their PVCs for the party’s victory in all elections.
They said “We resolved to take a radical shift from business as usual where giving handouts such as wheelchairs, cups of staples, spaghetti, among others in the name of empowerment is all PWDs benefit.
“We shall mobilize PWDs for PVC collection to ensure victory for the BAT/Shettima Presidential ticket because it is the best for Nigeria.
“Therefore, we have marshalled plans to mobilize PWDs for APC victory in all elections and consequently secure a better life and economic prosperity for our members.
“We will go back to our states and zones to establish all inclusive PWDs campaign structure to the polling units to work for the re -election of our Governors and other candidates of the party. While doing this, we will respect the party’s constitution and leadership structure.
“We agreed to set up PWDs Campaign Council for BAT/Shettima 2023 to ensure victory knowing that APC is for Nigerians and Nigerians are for APC”.
They also express commitment to change the economic fortunes of members of the PWDs community through dignifying, resourceful and sustainable opportunities.
“We will put in place workable plans and programmes, designed in recognition of the peculiarities of the needs and challenges of each zone.
“Approvals have been given to all zonal leaders to initiate and implement programmes in their zones and the respective states.
“We will scale up our advocacy for better life for PWDs via economic empowerment and financial inclusion.
“A workshop to train, re-orientate and improve significantly the capacity of PWDs leaders at Zonal and State levels is billed for the first week of August in Abuja”, the APC PWDs said.
They further appeal to the state Governors, Speakers of State House of Assembly and stakeholders to as a matter of urgency ensure the immediate passage and domestication of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 as signed by President Muhammad Buhari.
“The only gift and enduring legacy any governor can bequeath to the PWDs community is to domesticate the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 in his state.
“We are looking forward to seeing the appointment of PWDs as Ministers, Commissioners, Chairpersons of major statutory boards and parastatals of government henceforth”, they added.
