Gombe LG poll: 425,872 PWDs seek political consideration
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
No fewer than 425,872 People living with Disabilities (PWDs), in Gombe State on Friday, bemoaned undue neglect in electoral processes and leadership selection.
The group called on Gombe State Independent Electoral Commission (GSIEC) for due attention and consideration in the December 19 local government election.
Chairman, Joint Association of Physically Challenged Persons, Umar Ali Goro, disclosed this at the training on inclusivity for Gombe State Independent Electoral Commission (GSIEC), Women and the Physically Challenged Community, organised by the European Centre For Electoral Support (ECES).
Goro lamented that his people numbering 425,872 of the entire Gombe’s 3.6million population are the most neglected.
He said, “the state has 3.6milion people; 114 counsellors; 11 council chairmen; 11 vice chairmen and many commissioners, it’s a pity none is part of us.
“The state government too has not considered any of us for commissionership or permanent secretaries.”
Also speaking, the GSIEC chairman, Hon. Shehu Awak, explained his line of duty which does not include handpicking candidates for election, noting that he only mediate between candidates presented by political parties and the electorates.
“I am only concerned with candidates presented by parties for election, I don’t have hands on their selection or emergence. That is the exclusive decision of political parties to make,” he said.
He however pledged total support for anything that would ensure complete success of the council poll and a in future.
On his part, ECES project coordinator, Hamza Fassi-Fihri said, “democracy never delivers as much as when elections are inclusive. Inclusivity guarantees that all people have the possibility to make their voices heard, and this is even more important for those populations who are marginalised – youths, women and persons with disability.
“The society has to invest that these populations have equal access to voting right and help make this right real. Not only because youth represent 60 per cent the population, women more than 50 per cent and people with disabilities more than 10 per cent. More importantly, it is because they are part of the society, important pillars of the nation and their voices have to be heard as well, just like any other.”
He however applauded the GSIEC boss for his dedication and the “special love for the state, it was his genuine attitude to the process that got us involved at the late hour he sought our support.”
The executive director, the Albino foundation, Jake Epelle promised to appeal to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC,) to support GSIEC by providing electoral aides for people living with disabilities for easier participation in the coming council polls.
“Which includes; braille, magnifying glasses,” he added
