By Lanre Oloyede
In a remarkable display of solidarity, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon . Mohammed Abba Isa, Monday led leaders of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in 36 States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, on a solidarity visit to the National Secretariat of APC to express their resounding vote of confidence in the leadership of the National Chairman of the governing All Progressives Congress, APC, H.E, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
The visit witnessed a diverse representation of PWDs from various clusters and regions across the country teaming up to rally support for the party’s national Chairman whom they said has led the party to the path of success in all elections since assumption of office.
The PWDs comprises of 6 APC Zonal Leaders, 36 APC States Leaders for Persons with Disabilities including FCT, Chairmen of Northern and Southern Disability Forum and other stakeholders in the disability community.
The group commended the leadership style of Ganduje stating that members of the community now fare better under his administration.
While delivering his written address, SSAP Abba Isa commended Ganduje’s unwavering commitment to inclusivity and empowerment of persons with disabilities within the political landscape.
The Presidential aide assured Ganduje that PWDs would continue to remain steadfast with him in his commitment to the advancement of the party and Nigeria as a whole.
“I, the senior special assistant to the president on special needs and equal opportunities together with the 36 states’ leaders of Persons with Disabilities and the Federal Capital Territory, six APC zonal leaders having tested and tried Your Excellency’s leadership in all facets, hereby pass a vote of confidence on you as the APC chairman.
“I, along with leaders of Persons with Disabilities and other 35 million Persons of Disabilities in Nigeria are solidly behind your leadership as we need to encourage your Excellency more to maximize your continued efforts at making APC the greatest party in the globe.
“Your management of the affairs of APC in all spheres is excellent and not questionable and we believe you will continue with the good work. Also, together with your Excellency, we can build a more equitable and inclusive society in APC and Nigeria as a whole, where persons with disabilities will have the opportunity to fulfill their potentials and contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of our nation,” the SSAP said.
During the solidarity/advocacy visit, Hon. Abba Isa emphasized the unwavering support of the over 35 million Nigerians with disabilities for Ganduje, particularly amidst the political turbulence he faces and the alleged plot to remove him from office.
According to the presidential aide, the essence of this historic solidarity and advocacy visit was to convey a clear message: the over 35 million Nigerians with disabilities stand firmly behind Chairman Ganduje amidst his current challenges and the political maneuvers aimed at his removal from office.
In addition to the vote of confidence, the presidential aide used the opportunity to appeal to Ganduje to consider persons with disabilities in political appointments, stressing the importance of inclusivity in governance.
Responding, APC national Chairman, Ganduje thanked Hon. Abba Isa and his team for their unwavering support and solidarity, while assuring them of his commitment to promoting inclusivity and pledged to prioritize their inclusion in political appointments while also considering their concerns in political decision-making processes.
Furthermore, Ganduje commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his foresight in appointing Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities.
He recognized Isa’s appointment as a testament to the government’s dedication to addressing the needs of persons with disabilities and promoting equal opportunities for all citizens.
“We have to commend you for being here with us to pass a vote of confidence on our leadership. It shows your commitment and your love for the party.
“What we need to change the living standard of your members is skill acquisition in relation to the type of challenge that you have. It will not be a universal skill acquisition. It will be a specific skill acquisition prescribed for the type of challenge for your members. Some can use their voice and some can use their legs, and some can even use signal. So we are full aware of the challenges and we are here to solve the challenges,” Ganduje stated.
Also speaking, the APC national leader of PWDs, Hon. Tolu Bankole described the national chairman as PWD friendly and one who is committed to addressing the concerns of Persons With Disabilities.
Hon. Bankole said: “Your Excellency Sir, this is our first meeting with you as Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) since your assumption of office as the National Chairman of our great party.
“Thus, it is apt to use this visit to say publicly that PWDs are better under His Excellency, Abdullahi Ganduje than any previous party administration”.
In his remark, the Chairman of APC state leaders forum who also doubles as the APC State Leader for PWD in Katsina state, Comrade Dahiru Gambo, lauded the leadership prowess of both Tinubu and Ganduje, especially when it comes to inclusivity.
Comrade Gambo re-affirm the committed of PWDs in APC Katsina to the success of Ganduje’s leadership, saying he can always depend on them as your loyal soldiers as he lead APC to continuous victory.
The solidarity demonstrated by SSAP Abba Isa and the PWDs sends a powerful message to the political enemies and detractors of Dr. Ganduje that they can never succeed in their evil plot to destabilize the APC or occasion the removal of its National Chairman.
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