Owan East Physically Challenged Association urges Governor Okpebholo, APC leaders and newly elected council chairmen to ensure qualified PWDs are considered for political appointments.
The Vice Chairman of the Owan East Physically Challenged Association, Richard Ifidon Jagbadi, has appealed to the Edo State Government, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), political stakeholders and the newly elected Executive Chairmen of the 18 Local Government Areas to ensure the inclusion of qualified Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in forthcoming political appointments at the local government level.
In a statement issued following the conclusion of the Edo State Local Government Elections, Jagbadi congratulated the newly elected Executive Chairmen and Vice Chairmen across the state, wishing them wisdom, strength and divine guidance as they prepare to assume office.
He noted that with preparations underway for the appointment of Supervisory Councillors, Secretaries to Local Governments, Senior Special Assistants (SSAs), Special Assistants (SAs), Advisers, Board Members, Committee Members and other political office holders, the appointment process presents an opportunity to deepen inclusive governance in Edo State.
Jagbadi commended Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo for what he described as a landmark step towards disability inclusion through the appointment of Barrister Melody Omosah, a visually impaired legal practitioner, as the first Permanent Secretary with a disability in Edo State.
According to him, the appointment, alongside the implementation of the Edo State Disability Rights Law, demonstrates the Governor’s commitment to ensuring that competence, ability and dedication—not disability—determine access to public service.
He urged the Governor and relevant stakeholders to replicate the same inclusive approach at the local government level by appointing qualified Persons with Disabilities into strategic positions across all 18 local government councils.
The association maintained that Persons with Disabilities are educated, experienced and capable individuals who continue to contribute significantly to society despite numerous challenges.
It stressed that inclusion in governance should not be viewed as charity or sympathy but as the recognition of constitutional rights, human dignity, competence and leadership potential.
The statement further noted that greater representation of Persons with Disabilities in governance would help produce policies and programmes that are more responsive, equitable and beneficial to all citizens while strengthening democracy and promoting equal opportunities.
As part of its appeal, the association called on the authorities to ensure that qualified Persons with Disabilities are fairly considered for appointments as Supervisory Councillors, Secretaries to Local Governments, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Advisers, Board Members, Committee Members and other political offices.
It also urged government to promote diversity and equal opportunity at the grassroots, uphold the provisions of the Edo State Disability Rights Law, recognise competence and integrity above physical limitations, and encourage every Local Government Council to reflect the diversity of society through disability inclusion.
“Our advocacy is not for special treatment or charity but for equal opportunity, fair representation and the recognition of the competence and leadership capacity of qualified Persons with Disabilities,” the statement said.
The association expressed confidence that an Edo State that embraces inclusion at every level of government would become stronger, more representative, more innovative and more prosperous.
It reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Edo State Government, Local Government Councils, political leaders, development partners, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to advance inclusive governance and ensure that no qualified citizen is excluded from public service because of disability.
The statement concluded with the advocacy messages: “Nothing About Us Without Us” and “Inclusive Governance Is Good Governance.”
