By Laiatu Bamaiyi, Birnin Kebbi
In a troubling development in Kebbi State, a coalition of disability groups has raised alarms over what they describe as systemic discrimination in recent appointments to the Kebbi State Persons with Disabilities Commission. The groups accuse top government officials of repeatedly appointing the same individuals, who were previously made Special Assistants to the governor, to the commission’s governing board.
The coalition, in a formal complaint addressed to the Honorable Speaker, highlighted a disturbing pattern of exclusion that undermines the rights of various disability groups. According to the groups, the initial appointments of Special Advisors failed to include representatives from critical disability clusters, such as the Deaf community, individuals affected by leprosy, those with albinism, and the blind. This trend persisted with the appointments to the Commission’s governing board, where all appointees were drawn exclusively from the physically challenged community, further marginalizing other significant segments of the disabled population.
This lack of representation is a clear violation of the Disability Commission Act and underscores broader issues of marginalization faced by these communities. Leaders from the National Association of the Blind, Nigerian Association of the Deaf, IDEA Nigeria, and Nigerian Association of Persons with Albinism have united in demanding immediate action to address this injustice.
The coalition is urging the Honorable Speaker to take swift and decisive action to ensure that appointments within the Disability Commission are fair and inclusive. They emphasize that for Kebbi State to foster an equitable society, all disability groups must be given a voice in decision-making processes, warning against any manipulation of the system for narrow interests.
The coalition is also calling on the Executive Governor for broad support in rectifying the situation. They stress that ensuring equitable representation for all persons with disabilities is not just a legal obligation, but a fundamental human right that must be upheld in all governance structures.
The groups are hopeful that their appeal will resonate beyond local borders, garnering the necessary support to promote true inclusivity and equal opportunities for all disabled individuals in Kebbi State.
