By Laiatu Bamaiyi in Birinin kebbi.
In a concerning development in Kebbi State, a coalition of disability groups have raised alarms over what they describe as systemic discrimination by some top government officials in recent appointments to the Kebbi State Persons with Disabilities Commission.
They alleged that same set of people appointed as special Assistant to the governor few months ago have been re-appointed again to the exclusion of others.
The complaint, addressed to the Honorable Speaker, highlights a troubling pattern of exclusion that undermines the rights of various disability groups.
The groups revealed that in the initial appointments of Special Advisors, no representatives were selected from critical disability clusters such as the Deaf community, individuals affected by leprosy, those with albinism, or the blind. This trend persisted with subsequent appointments to the Commission’s governing board, where all appointees were exclusively from the physically challenged community, excluding other significant segments of the disabled population.
This lack of representation they argued
is a clear violation of the Disability Commission Act and highlights 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 joined forces to demand immediate action to address this alleged injustice.
The Association is therefore 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 but only if someone in government is out for manipulation .
the coalition is calling on the Executive Governor for broad support to rectify the situation. Ensuring equitable representation for all persons with disabilities is not just a legal requirement, 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.
