TAF Holds North Central ABLE2VOTE Campaign/Townhall Meeting, Task INEC On Credible And Inclusive 2023 Election

The Albino Foundation Public Notice

The Albino Foundation has held the first ABLE2VOTE Campaign/Townhall meeting in the North Central Region of Nigeria. The event which took place in Abuja today saw dignitaries from the public and private sectors, Non-governmental organisation, Civil society organisations, organisations of persons with disabilities, and much more in attendance.

The Campaign/Townhall meeting which is a voter’s education Campaign aimed at reducing voter’s apathy to the barest minimum and promoting the mainstreaming of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in political processes in Nigeria.

In his welcome address, the President and Chief Executive Officer, The Albino Foundation, Mr. Jake Epelle appreciated the audience for the turnout. He lauded the European Union for making the townhall meeting possible.

Mr. Jake encourage PWDs to ensure their vote count in the coming general elections.

Jake Epelle said “We are gathered here to say NO to voter’s apathy, NO to non-accessibility, No to voter’s fraud, and YES to inclusive electoral process.

“INEC has done so well for PWDs, they have done all they promised to make both INEC and the electoral process inclusive. INEC have inclusive departments in all states of the federation and in the headquarters, Abuja.

“The process is set for us, we must rise to the occasion, we must vote and be voted for.

“For the election day, the electoral process has a guideline that the officials must adhere to, the guideline has been approved by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

“The EU-SDGN 2 project is funding the ABLE2VOTE and electability project.

“TAF and EU are collaborating on data centre on disability inclusion, inclusive census, deploying 700 PWDs as electoral observers.

“TAF is working on deploying real-time electoral hub. the platform is aimed at real-time data and video on elections and events around it during the elections from various polling centres.

“The foundation is also deploying interns to various legislative house in states so that PWDs can understudy the legislative process and procedures.

“Also, TAF is employing sign language interpreters in both the senate and the National Assembly to provide interpreting services to the both chambers for three years.

“We are determined that in the near future, PWDs will be elected as president, senator, house of representatives, and even appointed as INEC Chairman.”

In a goodwill message the President, Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD), Abdullahi Usman commend the INEC for laying good foundation for inclusivity in Nigeria.

He said PWDs in Nigeria have the number to determine the winner of any election in Nigeria. Therefore, PWDs must demand full inclusion in any manifesto by any candidate.

Similarly, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) president, Mal Mutar Suraju represented by the FCT Chairman, Mrs. Maimuna Sanusi lend NIPR support for the project.

Mrs. Sanusi charged Nigerians to make provision for the rights and wellbeing of PWDs. That PWDs have the rights to vote and be voted for in the next general election.

She explained that for PWDs to achieve their full potentials, self-pride and social acceptance, all Nigerians must work together and create an inclusive society by removing all barriers.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, represented by Head, Gender Base of the ministry promised continues mainstreaming of disability inclusion in all programmes and projects.

She charged all stakeholders to work together with the ministry in the implementation of the national gender policy which provide for the protection of PWDs.

The Chairman, National Population Commission, Nasir Kwara promised inclusion in the fort coming population census. He stated that PWDs will be fully involved in the process.

He explained that PWDs are well capture in the questioners for the coming census. That PWDs will not only be counted demographically, but will be involved in the process as staff used for the exercise.