NEWS
Tinubu Committed to Inclusive Electoral Policies for PWDs- Aide
Mr Mohammed Isa, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, says the President is committed to promoting inclusive electoral policies for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).
Isa, represented by Mr Lanre Oloyede, Director of Media and Communication from his office, made this known at the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Electoral Reform Summit on Wednesday in Abuja.
The summit was organised by Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), with support from National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
He said the President had repeatedly emphasised his commitment to the political and electoral inclusion of all, especially PWDs, while recognising that the strength of Nigeria’s democracy lied in its diversity and inclusivity.
“We are determined to ensure that PWDs are not only participants in the electoral process but also leaders and decision-makers.
“The inclusion of PWDs in the electoral process is not merely an act of charity; it is a fundamental necessity for a truly representative democracy.
“Electoral inclusion and participation of PWDs ensure that their unique perspectives and needs are incorporated into the legislative process, leading to policies that are more comprehensive and inclusive.
“Unfortunately, the reality is that PWDs often face significant barriers that hinder their full participation in the electoral process,” he said.
Isa said the barriers include lack of funding, physical accessibility issues, societal prejudices, and lack of representation in elective and appointive positions.
He, therefore, said that to achieve true inclusivity, there should be the implementation of disability-friendly policies and infrastructure, provision of accessible voting systems and materials.
He added that there should be measures in place to increase the representation of PWDs in political offices and support disability-focused organisations and initiatives.
He commended the efforts of CSOs in shaping the electoral landscape, adding that their collective efforts served as the backbone of democratic integrity and give voice to the voiceless.
He proposed some actionable solutions that could pave the way for a more inclusive and effective electoral process in Nigeria, like strengthening voter education campaigns accessible to all, particularly PWDs.
Isa also called for advocacy for the implementation of accessible voting infrastructure to include the provision of ramps, tactile ballot guides, and sign language interpreters at voting centres or polling units.
“Today, I call on all of us to reaffirm our commitment to inclusivity and electoral participation for PWDs by working together to dismantle the barriers that impede their full involvement in our democracy.
“By doing so, we are not only upholding the principles of equity and justice but also strengthening the very foundation of our nation,” he said.
Mr Jide Ojo, Board Member of IFA, said the purpose of the summit was to foster collaboration among CSOs engaged in electoral reforms to ensure a coordinated and impactful efforts.
Ojo said the discussion was timely in the face of the ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s electoral process.
He said issues such as voter disenfranchisement, lack of accessibility, and insufficient transparency continued to undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s elections.
“These challenges call for innovative solutions and robust partnerships, which we hope to cultivate through this summit.
“We will explore strategies to enhance voter education, promote inclusive participation, and advocate for reforms that will lead to more credible and fair elections.
“We will also examine how we can hold electoral bodies accountable and ensure that the voices of all citizens are heard and respected,” he said.
The Executive Director of IFA, Grace Jerry, said the organisation had been working to promote an inclusive electoral process as well as quality governance in Nigeria.
Jerry said although there was a bit of improvement, much was still needed to be done to guarantee an inclusive electoral process for all.(NAN)
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Odo-Ere, the headquarters of Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, came under attack from armed bandits, resulting in the death of a Civil Defence officer and the abduction of his daughter.
According to sources, the victim, identified as Ayo, a member of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), was shot in the head during the attack.
A source confirmed that Mr. Ayo was rushed to a medical facility but was declared dead on arrival.
His remains have since been deposited in a mortuary as a “Brought-In-Dead” case.The attackers reportedly abducted his first daughter before fleeing the area, further deepening fears among residents following the latest security breach in the community.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies have yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
The attack has heightened concerns over the growing insecurity in Yagba West and surrounding communities, with residents calling for urgent intervention by security authorities.
Two crew members of a US army helicopter that crashed near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday were rescued by an American sea drone, US officials have said.
It was the first such operation carried out by US forces, the officials added.
US Central Command (Centcom) earlier said the two “soldiers were safely rescued within approximately two hours and are in stable condition” after their AH-64 Apache helicopter went down “near the coast of Oman while patrolling regional waters”.
It was not immediately clear whether the aircraft had developed a mechanical or any other technical problem, or had been downed by Iranian fire. The incident is being investigated.
In its statement on Tuesday, Centcom said the two crew members had been rescued at 19:33 EDT (23:33 GMT) on Monday.
“Rescue efforts were led by US Naval Forces Central Command and the 82nd Airborne Division, with support from US Air Force and Navy units including US 5th Fleet’s Task Force 59,” the statement added.
The military officials said the pair had been rescued by an uncrewed surface drone that was operated by Task Force 59.
In 2024, Task Force 59 launched a new unit focusing on “the operational deployment of unmanned systems teamed with manned operators to bolster maritime security across the Middle East region”.
It was not immediately clear what type of drone was used in the rescue operation, but a US official said that it had a speed boat-like design.
US President Donald Trump earlier told reporters the two crew members were “fine”, and that a report into the incident would be issued later.
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
The Benue State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of former Speaker, Aondona Dajoh, and former Majority Leader, Saater Tiseer, by an additional three months pending the determination of separate court cases instituted by the duo against the legislature or the withdrawal of the suits.
The resolution was reached during plenary on Tuesday, presided over by the speaker, Berger Alfred Emberga, following a motion of urgent public importance moved by the Majority Leader of the House and member representing Kwande West State Constituency, Thomas Dugeri, and seconded by the Deputy Chief Whip, Simon Gabo, representing Mata State Constituency.
The House subsequently adopted the motion and resolved that the suspension of the two lawmakers should remain in force for another three months pending the outcome of the judicial process or the withdrawal of their respective cases against the Assembly in line with the law governing the institution.
Also during Tuesday’s plenary, the Benue State Sports Marketing, Gaming and Lotteries Bill, 2026 scaled through second reading on the floor of the House.
Following its consideration, the Speaker, Alfred Emberga referred the bill to the Joint House Committees on Finance, Youth and Sports for further legislative scrutiny.
In his opening remarks marking the commencement of the First Sitting of the Fourth Legislative Session, the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Emberga welcomed members back from recess and urged them to remain committed to their legislative responsibilities.
He noted that the recess afforded lawmakers the opportunity to engage with their constituents and participate in political activities, including party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Speaker described the Fourth Legislative Session as a defining phase in the Assembly’s tenure and charged members to focus on issues that directly impact the welfare of the people. He identified security and peace-building, economic resilience, infrastructure development, enhanced revenue generation, effective oversight of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and greater citizen participation in the legislative process as key priorities for the session.
He further urged members to sustain harmonious collaboration with other arms of government while remaining steadfast in making laws that reflect the aspirations and yearnings of the Benue State people.
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