TheCable

Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), says persons living with disabilities (PWDs) should not vote for the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in the 2023 election.

Speaking on Saturday at the inauguration of the party’s PWD national campaign council, Atiku said despite the passage of the bill by the national assembly, the ruling APC failed to implement the disability law.

On January 24, 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the bill, seeking to protect PWDs against discrimination in the country.

“APC has refused to implement the PWD law, and you have no reason to vote APC again. I really want you to identify your membership and tell them to vote for a party that has recognised you and given them a special place which is PDP,” he said.

“Let me congratulate you on your inauguration into our presidential campaign council as well as the celebration of World Disability Day. You contribute your quota to the economy, and we in the PDP recognise you and that is why we have given you a special place in our party’s constitution and campaign council.

“Some persons have said the number of persons with disability in Nigeria is 19 million, 20 million or 25 million, but let’s assume you are 20 million. If we get all of you to vote for us, we don’t need others then. So really, you are important to us.”

Meanwhile, Iyiocha Ayu, PDP national chairman, said the inauguration of the council shows that the party understands the pain of the PWDs in the country.

“I am happy that it is our party that is giving these special people this opportunity, and if you look at our party, you will find persons with disability in top positions,” he added.

“We have a senator who is PWD, we have a NWC member who is a PWD, we have a state assembly member as well, and our governorship candidate in Niger, who by God’s grace will win the gubernatorial election. So I want you to take this opportunity seriously and ensure our victory.”