Disabled people in Borno State are tired of sitting back and not participating in politics – this time they have banded together and are determined to take part and have a say in next year’s elections.
At a meeting held on Monday, October 17, in Maiduguri, Muhammad Abubakar, a spokesman for people with disabilities told reporter Nana Hadiza Mustapha that most disabled people had, in the past, sat back and not taken an active part in politics. But this time they had decided to organise and take part in political gatherings to ensure they were represented and had a say in what was happening in the community around them.
The meeting was attended by more than 100 people with disabilities.
Abubakar said: “As disabled people we have decided to go to political gatherings to ensure we are represented. We want disabled people to be recognised and be included, even becoming politicians if they want.
“The government has given us its backing. It understands we want to feel part of the community and we want to be heard. With more than 100 people attending this meeting, it is clear that people with disabilities want to be part of the general community. We need to talk to other people with disabilities to educate them about politics, our rights as disabled people, including representation in government.
“We aim to bring change to the political climate because nothing like this has ever happened – this will be the first time disabled people like us have openly stated that we want to have a say in things and participate in decisions made by politicians.
“We used to rely on the public to help us. Now we feel we can contribute to the development of our societies. We have our permanent voter’s cards and we want people with disabilities to use them. We are educating our families so that they can also take part in the elections.”
Abubakar said all people with disabilities should be represented at all levels of government.
“We are asking the government to allocate more seats in government for the disabled as well as more jobs throughout the country.”
Ya Hajja Batul said: “We felt empowered after the meeting. We know we have something to contribute to society and we want to be recognised for that.”
“As the elections draw nearer, we know that politicians from all the parties will be giving speeches and telling the electorate what they can do to improve the lives of ordinary people,” said Fanta Goni Adam. “We will be watching and listening to them. We would like to see which parties include a better life for disabled people, who is taking us seriously, who will provide schools and other institutions for people like us. Politicians must realise that our votes are just as important as abled persons.”
Amina Muhammad said: “We are here to participate and contribute. We also have a part to play in society if we were only given the chance. We don’t want to become the forgotten voters.”
“We want to vote and represent our society,” said Aisha Modu. “We want to empower the disabled and do away with begging by providing secure jobs. There are many well educated people among us. All we want to do is to contribute to society. All we want is fair treatment.
AISHA SD JAMAL
