Inclusion Must Go Beyond Fee Discounts, Bankole Demands Dedicated Seats for PWDs

The National Leader of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the All Progressives Congress, Aare (Hon.) Tolu Bankole, has urged political leaders nationwide to adopt bold and deliberate measures that ensure full inclusion of PWDs in governance, emphasizing that symbolic actions must translate into tangible representation.

He acknowledged the progress made by the APC under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and state governors, noting improvements in disability-friendly policies, increased access to opportunities, and greater visibility of PWDs in public institutions. According to him, initiatives such as the 50 percent reduction in nomination fees for PWD aspirants demonstrate a commitment to lowering barriers to political participation, alongside various state-led programmes supporting inclusion.

However, Bankole stressed that these efforts fall short of true inclusion. While commending the party, he argued that reducing nomination fees alone is insufficient, insisting that inclusion must extend beyond access to forms to actual participation in governance and decision-making processes.

He called on political leaders and party stakeholders across the country to move beyond token gestures and implement structural reforms that guarantee meaningful representation for PWDs. Specifically, he advocated for the allocation of legislative seats at both state and federal levels to qualified PWD members, highlighting the availability of capable individuals within the community.

Bankole also emphasized the need for inclusive executive appointments, stating that governance structures must reflect the diversity of society. Drawing comparisons with global practices, he pointed to countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa where legal frameworks and policies have improved political representation for persons with disabilities.

In contrast, he noted that Nigeria’s representation of PWDs in elective and appointive positions remains below one percent, attributing this gap not to a lack of competence but to the absence of deliberate inclusion.

He warned that delaying concrete reforms risks further marginalizing millions of Nigerians and called for urgent, structured, and measurable actions to address systemic exclusion.

Reaffirming his commitment to advancing the rights and political participation of PWDs, Bankole expressed optimism that the APC can set a national benchmark for inclusive governance if it takes decisive steps toward ensuring representation at all levels.