PWDs tell Tinubu to urgently correct Lopsided Appointments

By Aaron Elekwachi

People Living With Disabilities (PWDs) have urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently address the issue of lopsided appointments within his government. Chike Okogwu, the Director of the Centre for Ability Rehabilitation and Empowerment, highlighted this concern in a recent open letter addressed to Tinubu. Okogwu stressed that ensuring a fair distribution of appointments across regions would not only uphold the constitutional principle of Federal character but also foster inclusivity and strengthen democracy.

In the letter, Okogwu pointed out the recent dissolution of the board of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), which was not followed by the immediate constitution of a new board. This has resulted in a lack of checks and balances in the governance of the NCPWD, leaving various segments of the Disability community feeling unsatisfied and concerned about the fair representation and effective governance of their affairs. These segments include the blind, physically disabled, deaf, persons with albinism, intellectually impaired individuals, those with spinal cord injuries, and leprosy victims.

In light of these pressing issues, Okogwu urgently appealed to President Tinubu to use the powers of his office to correct and balance this anomaly.

It's noteworthy that just two weeks ago, an Abuja-based legal practitioner, Maxwell Opara, filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu before a Federal High Court in Abuja, citing concerns over alleged lopsided appointments in the public sector. This legal action underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for swift and decisive action to address the issue.

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