By; USMAN NASIDI, Kaduna.
Leadership of the National Association of Persons with Physical Disability (NAPWPD) Kaduna State Chapter, has called on the Kaura Local Government All Progressives Congress (APC) delegates to automatically endorse Honourable Lois Auta as the flag bearer of the party for Kaura Constituency of the Kaduna State House of Assembly.
Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday in Kaduna, the National President, Comrade Rilwanu Muhammad Abdullahi, explained that they are using the opportunity of the press briefing as an avenue to capture and evaluate the political landscape as it involves them.
He added that her aspiration as a person with disability to contest in the general forthcoming election come 2023 under the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a symbol that the rulling party has given a level playing ground to all members not minding the disability, because within every disability, there’s ability.
He said ” the APC indeed stands tall by providing inclusive level playing ground to Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) at all levels. There is one slogan that we continue to uphold “Nothing about us without us”, and the party is setting a standard on the implementation of sections 30 of the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities Prohibition Act 2018.
“this is a giant stride by Lois Auta, and we are calling on the Kaduna APC state leadership and Kaura Constituency to give the much needed support, to prove that there is inclusion in their great party, and to give their massive support to Lois Auta and make sure she emerges flag bearer of the APC,” he said.ohWa
According to NAPWPD, APC has demonstrated the inclusion of people with disabilities in the party’s hierarchy and affairs that was manifested during the party’s convention, where Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) were elected to represent National Disability Leaders at national, zonal and state levels, local government and wards levels respectively.
Comrade Rilwanu, also commended the the All Progressives Congress (APC) which is the ruling party in Nigeria, while calling on all their members to intensify prayers to ensure victory for all Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) aspirants,
While responding to the members in her remarks, the aspirant, Honourable Lois Auta, expressed appreciation and gratitude to the entire members of the Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) across the state for the kind gesture in respect of her ambition to contest as member Kaduna State Assembly under Kaura Constituency in the forthcoming general election of year 2023.
Lois, added that for NAPWPD, Kaduna Chapter to go that far in supporting her political aspiration, to push for her candidacy, speaks volumes, saying that It means that PWDs have come of age, and the political participation of PWDs cannot be dismissed with a wave of hand and never again in history will it be dismissed with a wave of hand.
She said, “It may be a Lois Auta aspiration, but it is about the equal, quality, and universally acceptable leadership standards to be brought into the representation of Kaura people, the people of Kaduna State and the entire community of PWDs, hence my manifesto slogan: ‘EQUAL Agenda’.
“I wish to seize this golden opportunity to acknowledge and with profound appreciation, the inclusive nature of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), the most disabled friendly party in the history of Nigeria and by implication, the entire black race. The first political party in Nigeria to integrate PWDs into every cadre of leadership structure in power and decision making process.
“I consider it pertinent to pay glowing tributes to this APC-led federal government, headed by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. With the Disability Act of December, 2018, they have formally adopted usPWDs, into the society as equal citizens with equal rights and privileges. And today, with the Disability Commission, we have a voice that resonates just as loud as that of any other citizen in our society. History will forever speak of the excellent credentials of APC as a party and APC led federal government.
“It may be Kaura Constituency but the larger picture is that of the global community of PWDs. It is the concern of girls and women. It is about humanity and that is why I appreciate immensely this support efforts by NAPWPD, Kaduna, to persuade the ever inclusive and all time disabled friendly leadership of APC, Kaduna and Kaura and indeed the highly esteemed delegates of our great party to give me the ticket come May 22, 2022.” She said.
Finally, Honourable Lois Auta, disclosed that she’s deeply humbled and honoured by the action of the leadership of NAPWPD, Kaduna chapter for pushing her acceptance by the (APC), for her candidacy for a seat in the Kaduna State House of Assembly under her favourite frontline constituency, though her natural constituency is that of the women folk, as her disability remains a conspicuous signature that stands her out in any group she may find herself.
