This post highlights the challenges facing people with disabilities in Nigerian politics and how they can be addressed by increasing their participation in the electoral process and representation in politics. People living with disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria face significant challenges in their daily lives, including barriers to education, employment, and access to public facilities.
According to the National Population Commission, approximately 25 million Nigerians, or 15% of the population, live with some form of disability. This includes physical disabilities, such as mobility impairments and visual or hearing impairments, as well as intellectual and mental health disabilities.
Unfortunately, PWDs in Nigeria often face discrimination and marginalization. They may be excluded from educational opportunities, particularly at higher levels of education, and may find it difficult to secure employment due to negative attitudes and stereotypes. Many public facilities, such as transportation systems, buildings, and public spaces, are not accessible, making it difficult for PWDs to participate fully in society, including in national politics.
There have been efforts by the Nigerian government and civil society organizations to address these issues. The National Disability Act of 2018 and the new Electoral Act 2022 provide legal protections and guarantees for PWDs, including the right to education, employment, and access to polling stations. However, implementation of these protections has been slow, and many PWDs continue to face significant barriers to their full participation in society.
The inclusion of people with disabilities in Nigerian politics has been a topic of discussion for years. Despite the fact that the country has a Disability Rights Act which recognizes the rights of people with disabilities, there are still many challenges that need to be addressed to ensure their full inclusion in the political sphere.
One of the major challenges facing people with disabilities in Nigerian politics is attitudinal barriers. Many people in Nigeria still hold negative attitudes towards people with disabilities, seeing them as helpless, pitiable, or unable to contribute meaningfully to society. These attitudes often translate into exclusionary practices in politics, such as not allowing people with disabilities to run for office or not accommodating their needs in the electoral process.
Another challenge is the lack of access to political spaces and resources. People with disabilities often face physical barriers that prevent them from accessing political spaces, such as inaccessible buildings or lack of transportation. Additionally, they may not have access to the same resources and opportunities as their non-disabled peers, such as education or employment, which can limit their ability to participate in politics.
Despite these challenges, there are some positive developments towards inclusion of people with disabilities in Nigerian politics. For example, in the 2019 general elections, two people with disabilities were elected to the House of Representatives. This was a significant milestone for disability inclusion in Nigeria, as it showed that people with disabilities can be elected to high-level political positions and can make valuable contributions to the political process. However more needs to be done.
To build on these successes and promote greater inclusion of people with disabilities in Nigerian politics, there are several steps that can be taken. Firstly, there needs to be a change in attitudes towards people with disabilities. This can be achieved through public awareness campaigns and civic education that highlight the capabilities and contributions of people with disabilities, and through targeted education and training programs that help people understand the rights of people with disabilities and how to accommodate their needs.
Secondly, there needs to be greater accessibility to political spaces and resources. This can be achieved by ensuring that all political spaces are fully accessible to people with disabilities, including polling stations, campaign offices, and government buildings. Additionally, there needs to be greater investment in disability-friendly infrastructure, such as ramps, lifts, and accessible transportation, to enable people with disabilities to participate fully in the electoral process.
Thirdly, there needs to be greater representation of people with disabilities in politics. This can be achieved through affirmative action policies that encourage political parties to nominate and support candidates with disabilities, and through targeted funding programs that provide financial support to people with disabilities who wish to run for office. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should also make provisions that allow people living with disabilities to vote during elections.
There needs for greater collaboration between disability rights organizations and political parties. Disability rights organizations in Nigeria such as CCD, DRAC and JONAPWD can play important roles in advocating for the inclusion of people with disabilities in politics, and can provide support and guidance to political parties or INEC on how to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities. Political parties, government in turn, can work with disability rights organizations to develop inclusive policies and practices that promote greater disability inclusion in politics.
The inclusion of people with disabilities in Nigerian politics is essential for promoting democracy and ensuring that all voices are heard. Despite the challenges that people with disabilities face in this regard, there are many positive developments that indicate that progress is being made.
By changing our attitudes towards people with disabilities, increasing accessibility to political spaces and resources, promoting greater representation of people with disabilities in politics, and fostering greater collaboration between disability rights organizations, INEC and political parties, we can work towards a more inclusive and representative political system in Nigeria where all votes count.
The new Electoral Act signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, has provision for PWDs and special needs to be assisted at the polling units by providing suitable means of communication, such as Braille, large embossed print, electronic devices, sign language interpretation or offsite voting in appropriate cases. The INEC policy framework has also launched inclusion of PWDs in all aspects of the electoral process, while reducing the barriers they face.
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