Tag: PWDs

2023 elections fall out: PWDs score INEC low on equal access

Persons with disabilities (PWDs) have faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over poor inclusion and participation of the vulnerable population in the recently concluded 2023 elections.

INEC was said to have failed to make adequate provisions for persons with special needs during elections. Suitable means of communication such as braille, large embossed print, and electronic devices to assist people with disabilities in voting were not on the ground or could not be operated by the staff of the Commission.

Prof. Mahmud Yakubu-led election body had, at different times before the polls, assured PWDs of total inclusiveness in the 2023 general elections.

The PWD community made their concerns known during PUBLIC CONSCIENCE, an anti-corruption radio programme produced by the Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development, PRIMORG, Wednesday in Abuja,

During the programme, a disability expert, Chris Obiora Agbo, stated that persons with disabilities were disappointed with INEC’s inability to make adequate provisions for persons with particular needs to participate in the 2023 elections.

Agbo revealed that according to reports from the PWD community, there was insufficient deployment of communication equipment to aid the participation of PWDs during the polls, noting that “INEC did not deploy braille ballot guides in many polling units he visited.”

He rated the Commission low on the inclusiveness of PWDs, urging that training of INEC’s ad-hoc staff should be prioritized as their limited knowledge to operate the equipment provided contributed largely to the disenfranchisement of vulnerable persons.

“They (INEC) didn’t keep up with their promise. We couldn’t find most of the braille ballot guides in most of the visited polling units. Many people with visual impairment complained that they couldn’t find those materials in their polling unit, and magnifying glasses there were also complaints about not having them.

“And when it comes to priority voting, in some areas, some PWDs enjoyed it, but in so many other places, they couldn’t, and we attribute it to the elections not starting early, so there was a whole lot of apprehension when they began, and that actually made the electoral officers not to be coordinated to allow PWDs to enjoy priority voting.

“We are disappointed by what happened. We engaged to the highest level; even the INEC Chairman had meetings with us, and he also made mention of issues of disability in Chatham House. We expected we would have been more accommodated in the 2023 elections, but it never happened.

“INEC needs to do more on the training of their ad-hoc staff. They need to involve us (PWDs) in the training of the ad-hoc staff. There is no expert in a disability organization that will tell you he was involved in the training of the ad-hoc staff. They need to involve us so that they know what is expected of them,’ Agbo stressed.

On his part, Communications Assistant at Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), Festus Okpeh, lamented that the late arrival of election materials and violence affected many people with disability from participating in the elections.

According to Okpeh, reports from polling units across the country during the presidential election put the deployment of braille ballot guides at 53 percent. He also called for more training of INEC staff, stressing that there should be a remarkable improvement on security during elections so that PWDs will come out and exercise their franchise in future elections.

He noted that the general impression of the election is that there were enormous challenges, especially concerning the presidential election, which they (IFA) actually observed. He stressed that INEC did not live up to expectations.

“We saw the braille ballot guide, but the problem is not in the deployment but in the usage because we discovered that these materials will be in polling units, but they will not be used. The election officers are not equipped with the right information on how to make PWDs use them.

“We noticed that the braille ballot boxes were deployed to about 53% of the polling units we sampled in the presidential elections but out of this, a negligible percentage was actually used, so there is a gap between deployment and usage.

“There needs to be more training of ad-hoc staff, especially for them to understand that where materials are deployed, they have to be used.

“So we demand that there should be much more education in this regard, and in terms of security, there should be enough security of PWDs to come out and express their franchise,” Okpeh stated.

Public Conscience is a syndicated weekly anti-corruption radio program used by PRIMORG to draw government and citizens’ attention to corruption and integrity issues in Nigeria.

The program has the support of the MacArthur Foundation.

March 30, 2023
Amendment bill on agency for PWDs ready for Gov Makinde’s assent – Aide

An executive amendment bill that will establish the Agency for Persons with Disability (PWDs), recently passed by the Oyo State House of Assembly, is ready for Gov Seyi Makinde’s assent within the year.

Executive Assistant to the Governor on Persons with Disability, Mr Ayodele Adekanmbi, made this known while addressing a Coalition of Like-minded People with Disabilities in Ibadan.

Newsmen reported that the executive bill was passed by the state lawmakers on Oct. 20.

The agency, when finally established, would be under the supervision of the governor.

According to Adekanmbi, the disabled were at the governor’s office to appreciate him on the passage of the bill that would establish the agency for Persons with Disability.

“They were here, also to assure his Excellency that all their votes would be given to him and his party – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming general election.”

He said no administration in the state had placed priority on the welfare, education and political appointment of People with Disabilities like the administration of Gov. Makinde.

In his remarks, the governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Ademola Ojo, said the bill would soon be signed into law by the governor to enhance treatment of disabled people in the state.

Ojo, who represented the governor during the visit, said issues concerning people with disability would continue to be one of the topmost priorities of the Seyi Makinde’s government.

He implored the people with disabilities in the state to vote PDP candidates during the next general elections, “for the good work to continue”.

Earlier, the leader of the coalition of Persons with Disabilities, Mr Chulks Abe, appreciated the governor for counting some of his members worthy to be in his government.

Abe said that the present administration in the state had been prioritising the welfare of his members.

According to him, Makinde’s government appointed many of his aides from people with disabilities, such as the Executive Assistant on Disability; Special Assistant on Special People and many others as supervisors across the 33 local government councils .

He assured that all their members would support Makinde in his bid for second term by voting en-mass for him and other PDP candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

October 27, 2022
2023: Group wants sign language interpreters at campaigns

The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) has urged political parties to provide sign language interpreters during their campaigns for 2023 poll.

Mr Yusuf Yahaya, the Gombe Zonal Coordinator, JONAPWD, said this in a statement in Gombe on Wednesday.

Yahaya said that the use of sign language interpreters would ensure effective communication of party manifestoes to the electorate especially Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).

“Dearth of sign language interpreters during campaigns has made some of our members to stay away from voting.

“Sign language interpreters are highly needed to help PWDs to participate in the electoral process.

“PWDs often find it difficult to partake in campaigns and other political activities in view of the fact that they are not being carried along.

“By providing sign language interpreters during campaigns, media interviews, and including them in the campaign and committees will give PWDs a sense of belonging and motivate them to vote during election,’’ he said.

Yahaya said that PWDs deserved information on the plans and agenda of political parties and their candidates, adding that this was the essence of campaigns.

“But many do not get that and may not participate in voting,” the JONAPWD official said.

October 12, 2022
NCC deploys 84 IT projects to support persons with disabilities

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has deployed 84 assistive Information Technology projects at different locations in Nigeria to support people with special needs while supporting policies that enable disadvantaged members of the society to live a more qualitative life.

“The E-Accessibility project seeks to meet the ICT needs of persons living with disabilities in Nigeria by providing ICT tools, assistive technologies, training, and Internet provision in the identified locations. Between 2012 to 2020, the NCC has deployed the E-Accessibility Projects in, at least, 84 locations nationwide.”

The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by a delegation from National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) to the NCC over the weekend in Abuja, where the EVC also restated NCC’s commitment to continually support people with special needs across the country.

Danbatta, while receiving the NCPWD team led by its Executive Secretary, James Lalu, said the telecom regulator has always implemented initiatives aimed at ensuring digital inclusivity for all Nigerians regardless of their circumstances.

Represented by the Director, Human Capital and Administration at NCC, Usman Malah, the EVC said telecoms sector has become the backbone of the national economy and has recorded tremendous growth from 400,000 telephone lines on the eve of sectoral deregulation in 2000 to over 208 million active telephone lines now, just as active Internet subscription rose to 156 million in the last two decades.

The EVC stated that the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Industry’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) currently stands at 18.44 per cent, going by the data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) as at the second quarter of 2022. Additionally, Danbatta said that NCC has continue to ensure quality of service delivery to the consumers and digital inclusion for all.

Accordingly, Danbatta said the NCC recognises and aligns with the noble objectives behind the establishment of NCPWD as enabled by the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018.

The NCC Chief Executive stated that in addition to implementing the five per cent inclusiveness of persons with disabilities in NCC’s staffing efforts in accordance with the law, the telecom regulator, through the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), has executed many projects within the framework of its E-Accessibility Programme in last 10 years that targets the challenged members of the society.

“In other words, the project provides ICT tools and Assistive Technologies (ATs) to the blind, the deaf, dumb, crippled, cognitively impaired, and other categories of people living with disabilities. As disadvantaged members of society, the project is designed to assist in improving the quality of life of people living with disability,” he said.

In his remarks, the NCPWD’s Executive Secretary, Lalu, said the purpose of the agency’s visit was to keep the NCC management abreast of its mandates and activities, and to seek greater collaborations with NCC for the benefits of estimated 35.5 million persons with disabilities in Nigeria.

He commended the NCC for the “wonderful work it has been doing through various projects in support of people with disabilities in the country.” Lalu slso appealed to the NCC to help in creating awareness among telecoms service providers to comply with the legal requirement to dedicate five per cent of their employment quota to persons with disabilities. He said this category of Nigerians are ‘smart, professional and intelligent’ and can make significant contribution to the growth of the respective organizations employing them, despite their disabilities.

“What we want to achieve is to make Nigeria a country that is comfortable for PLWD by ending discrimination and providing adequate reporting system and we have seen NCC as a strategic and important partner in this journey,” Lalu said.

The NCPWD was established, pursuant to section 31 of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act 2018, to promote, protect and prioritise the rights of persons with disabilities, and to further enhance their productivity through education, health, and other socio-economic activities and programmes.

September 21, 2022
NCC deploys 84 IT projects to support persons with disabilities

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has deployed 84 assistive Information Technology projects at different locations in Nigeria to support people with special needs while supporting policies that enable disadvantaged members of the society to live a more qualitative life.

“The E-Accessibility project seeks to meet the ICT needs of persons living with disabilities in Nigeria by providing ICT tools, assistive technologies, training, and Internet provision in the identified locations. Between 2012 to 2020, the NCC has deployed the E-Accessibility Projects in, at least, 84 locations nationwide.”

The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by a delegation from National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) to the NCC over the weekend in Abuja, where the EVC also restated NCC’s commitment to continually support people with special needs across the country.

Danbatta, while receiving the NCPWD team led by its Executive Secretary, James Lalu, said the telecom regulator has always implemented initiatives aimed at ensuring digital inclusivity for all Nigerians regardless of their circumstances.

Represented by the Director, Human Capital and Administration at NCC, Usman Malah, the EVC said telecoms sector has become the backbone of the national economy and has recorded tremendous growth from 400,000 telephone lines on the eve of sectoral deregulation in 2000 to over 208 million active telephone lines now, just as active Internet subscription rose to 156 million in the last two decades.

The EVC stated that the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Industry’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) currently stands at 18.44 per cent, going by the data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) as at the second quarter of 2022. Additionally, Danbatta said that NCC has continue to ensure quality of service delivery to the consumers and digital inclusion for all.

Accordingly, Danbatta said the NCC recognises and aligns with the noble objectives behind the establishment of NCPWD as enabled by the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018.

The NCC Chief Executive stated that in addition to implementing the five per cent inclusiveness of persons with disabilities in NCC’s staffing efforts in accordance with the law, the telecom regulator, through the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), has executed many projects within the framework of its E-Accessibility Programme in last 10 years that targets the challenged members of the society.

“In other words, the project provides ICT tools and Assistive Technologies (ATs) to the blind, the deaf, dumb, crippled, cognitively impaired, and other categories of people living with disabilities. As disadvantaged members of society, the project is designed to assist in improving the quality of life of people living with disability,” he said.

In his remarks, the NCPWD’s Executive Secretary, Lalu, said the purpose of the agency’s visit was to keep the NCCmanagement abreast of its mandates and activities, and to seek greater collaborations with NCC for the benefits of estimated 35.5 million persons with disabilities in Nigeria.

He commended the NCC for the “wonderful work it has been doing through various projects in support of people with disabilities in the country.” Lalu slso appealed to the NCC to help in creating awareness among telecoms service providers to comply with the legal requirement to dedicate five per cent of their employment quota to persons with disabilities. He said this category of Nigerians are ‘smart, professional and intelligent’ and can make significant contribution to the growth of the respective organizations employing them, despite their disabilities.

“What we want to achieve is to make Nigeria a country that is comfortable for PLWD by ending discrimination and providing adequate reporting system and we have seen NCC as a strategic and important partner in this journey,” Lalu said.

The NCPWD was established, pursuant to section 31 of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act 2018, to promote, protect and prioritise the rights of persons with disabilities, and to further enhance their productivity through education, health, and other socio-economic activities and programmes.

September 20, 2022
CCD calls for political participation, engagement of PWDs

Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has appealed to political parties within the country to include Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in their constitutional frameworks, programs and activities to ensure their inclusion and participation in politics and electioneering.

This call was made by Mr. David Anyaele, the Executive Director of CCD in conjunction with Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and Voice Nigeria at an event held in Lagos tagged ” A One Day Dialogue With Frontline Political Actors and PWDs”

He called on political parties to practice politics of inclusivity, manifestoes and programmes of event as the 2023 election approaches.

Anyaele observed that the PWDs were not really taken care of during the last general election and the just concluded governorship elections in Ekiti state.

He stressed that the governorship election billed to hold next month in Osun state will also be observed to see if INEC has taken the PWDs into consideration.

“We observe that in the last election, measures were not taken by political parties to include PWDs in elective positions in their parties. We are using this medium to tell them that the participation of PWDs is not charity but a Human right”. He said.

Similarly, Mr. Mobolaji Segun the Lagos state chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), posited that the PWDs shouldn’t be left behind in the electioneering process, saying that IPAC is ready to accommodate and feature them in the scheme of things.

He praised the CCD for coming up with a programme which was paramount in addressing the challenges affecting PWDs during electioneering.

Segun appealed to various political parties in the country to accommodate and encourage PWDs into their programmes of event.

Continuing, Segun said that IPAC has made available free forms for PWDs as a means to encourage them to venture into politics.

The CCD also made an appeal to INEC to simplify the process for PWDs, adding that the process already in place is cumbersome and not helpful to them.

They urge INEC to make available devices that will aid the smooth voting process of persons living with disabilities.

They clamour for language interpreters and magnifier for people living with Albinism.

Speaking at the event ,the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation of the Lagos State Office for Disabilities Affairs (LASODA), Mrs Olukoni Abokai urged political parties to carry the PWDs along.

She urged the PWDs to join their clusters at LASODA inorder to be carried along with goings on and activities of the union.

The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) is a not-for-profit making and foremost human rights organization of, and for persons with disabilities that works to promote inclusion, participation, access, and the mainstreaming of issues of critical concern of citizens with disabilities in the programmes and activities of state and non-state institutions.

June 21, 2022
PWDs threaten to sue INEC if excluded from electoral process

Persons With Disabilities, (PWDs) have threatened to sue INEC if they are not included in the electoral process of Ekiti governorship election, slated to take place june 18.

They are also demanding that INEC and other stakeholders create accessible voting points and necessary facilities that would ensure their improved participation in the electioneering process seamlessly.

This submission is in a report by the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities, tagged: “Pre Election Assessment of Independent National Electoral Commission preparedness for Persons with Disabilities Participation for June 18 governorship election.”

The report obtained by newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, said the request of the group for inclusion was already a matter of law, hence it must be obeyed, so as not to disefranchise the special persons.

According to the Executive Director, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Dr. David Anyaele, the research is done to ascertain INEC’s preparedness in carrying along PWDs and ensure their security throughout the electoral process.

He urged INEC to collaborate with the security agents to ensure a credible election devoid of malpractice and hitch free.

He said: “The key reason for the research is to hold INEC accountable, urging them to train PWDs on their rights and make them understand the provision of the law which will better shape their participation in election.

“INEC should collaborate with the security agencies to reassure electorate of their safety, to reduce tension and brace up security challenges, especially in some flashpoints.

He said this would ensure accessible, credible, free, fair and peaceful election.

“They should also provide Disability Desk Officers at each INEC LGA offices and this position should be held by a PWD.

“INEC should also provide Umbrellas and shades for albinos or allow them vote as early as 8 a.m. to avoid them being under the sun and prone to skin cancer.”

Anyaele, however, discouraged PWDs from being involved in vote buying and selling, noting that it’s their civic responsibility to vote a candidate of their choice.

“Poverty is not particular with PWDs alone, but I urge you not to sell your votes because of money. It is our responsibility to discourage any form of vote buying and selling.

“It is everybody’s responsibility, not just PWDs because poverty does not discriminate; as it hits PWDs, it also hits persons without disability.”

Others who contributed to the report included the Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons Living with Disabilities (JONAPWD) Kayode Owolabi, who urged INEC to take bold steps to improve the communication between them and JONAPWD.

He said there was an obvious disconnect and lack of proper engagement between both parties.

He urged INEC to make election materials and facilities accessible for all PWDs, including Form EC40H, polling units and assistive resources such as sign language interpreters, tactile ballot jackets, and magnifying lenses.

Other recommendations include the need to train polling station officials adequately, to understand and respond to PWD needs.

The importance of sensitising the public to the needs and challenges of PWDs to reverse negative public perceptions and attitudes towards them was also recommended.

May 24, 2022
INEC pledges commitment to support PWDs during electoral process

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given its commitment to providing strong support to Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) ahead of the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

Prof. Kunle Ajayi, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Outreach and Partnership Committee (OPC), gave the commitment at the opening of training for INEC Disability Desk Officers on Monday in Lagos.

Newsmen reports that the five-day training — BRIDGE: is a Modular Training on Access and Participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the Electoral Process for INEC Disability Desk Officers.

It is organised for the desk officers in the commission from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT in partnership with the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES)

Ajayi said: “The non-negotiable minimum of a credible, and democratic electioneering process is its inclusivity- ability of all stakeholders to access, and participate in the electoral space on the basis of equality.

“Section 54 (2) of the Electoral Act 2022, and other legal instruments empower the commission to take reasonable steps to ensure that PWDs, special needs, and vulnerable persons are given support at the polling place by the provision of assistive devices.

“The commission also has, as one of its core values, the creation of a level playing field for all stakeholders to participate in, especially the marginalised groups, including the PWDs.”

According to him, the training was part of the commission’s Strategic Plan of Action (SPA) designed to sharpen, and enrich the working knowledge of INEC’s new desk officers.

He said that the training was meant to refresh the memories of other officers with long experience at the disability desk of their responsibilities as frontline implementers of the commission’s PWDs policies.

Ajayi urged the staff to appreciate various innovations and the changing dynamics on PWD electoral issues.

He said that the commission was counting on their expertise as foot soldiers on PWDs responsive policies for effective coordination, and implementation of INEC disability focal programmes.

Reiterating the unwavering commitment of the commission to PWDs’ sensitive actions, Ajayi said INEC had a Framework on Access and Participation of PWDs in the Electoral Process and had almost completed work on Disability Inclusive Guide.

“This is a tool for reference in mainstreaming disability issues in the electoral process, which will further firm up the commission’s resolve on electoral inclusivity to serve PWDs community better,” the INEC boss said.

In his opening remarks, Mr Olusegun Agbaje, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Lagos State, said that the training sought to raise the level of staff professionalism in election administration.

Agbaje described the training as another demonstration of INEC’s resolve not to leave any stone unturned in achieving the conduct of flawless elections.

“In the bid to ensure that no segment of the society is excluded from the electoral process, the Independent National Electoral Commission consistently pursues the principle of inclusiveness with uncanny vigour,” Agbaje said.

He said that INEC had put some measures in place to make the electoral process friendlier to the PWDs.

The measures, he said include the creation of regular interactive platforms, provision of Braille ballots, magnifying glasses, sign language interpreters, redesigning of voter registration centres, and Polling Units (PUs) for easy access to PWDs.

Speaking, Mr Hamza Fassi-Fihri, the ECES Country Representative, said that the training was organised within the European Union-funded Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria programme (EU-SDGN).

Fassi-Fihri said that it was to familiarise INEC officials with the International, regional, and national PWD inclusion policies as well as INEC Special Voting Rights tools.

He said that the training was to equip them with strategies that would ensure the safety of these special groups of persons before, during, and after elections as well as ensure increased inclusion, and participation of PWDs in the electoral processes.

“Indeed, ensuring their right to vote and be voted for is one of the most visible gains in any thriving democracy.

“Promoting these rights and freedom to equally participate in elections is provided in both local and international declarations, protocols, and instruments, as endorsed by the United Nations, African Union, and the Economic Community of West African States among others.

“It’s also ratified by the Nigerian State. A truly representative electoral outcome is one that is totally inclusive,” Fassi-Fihri said.

According to him, since the constitution does not alienate Persons With Disabilities from voting and contesting, it, therefore, becomes critical to put in place measures that will minimise or eliminate discriminatory practices.

“We are in a society where PWDs face several obstacles around key processes within the electoral, and political process which tends to subtract their contributions towards the development of the electoral and political landscape.

“While INEC has put in place a disability framework towards providing a level playing field for the PWD community, other stakeholders including from government, political parties, security agencies among others, have important contributions to make towards the actualisation of a truly inclusive society.

“This is also in line with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and envisions an inclusive and non-discriminatory planet by 2030,” he added.

April 25, 2022
2023 Election: AA slashes nomination fees for women, youths, PWDs

Action Alliance (AA) party has slashed nomination forms by 50 percent for women, youth and People with Disabilities (PWDs) interested in contesting the 2023 general elections.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Kenneth Udeze, the National Chairman, to publicise the sale of Intent and Nomination forms to aspirants in the party.

Mr James Vernimbe, the party’s National Secretary, made the statement available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday.

According to Udeze, the party is giving 50 per cent discount on the form for youths and women between 25 years and 35 years of age with verifiable birth certificates or evidence of age declaration.

Also, PWD aspirants would only pay for the cost of intent form, while the nomination form would be obtained for free.

“The intent form for Presidential aspirants is N5,000,000, while the nomination form is N10,000,000.

“The form is sold for N2,000,000 and N4,000,000 for the party’s Governorship aspirants; and for Senatorial aspirants, it is N1,000,000 and N2,000,000 respectively.

“The House of Representatives go for N500,000 and N1,000,000, while State Houses of Assembly form is N100,000 and N400,000 respectively.

“All payments are to be made at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja and no refunds of money after payments.

“Last day for the sales of both intents and nomination forms is May 15, while the last day for the submission of all completed forms is May 16,” he said.

He said that the mode for the conduct of the party’s primaries would be made known in due course.

He, however, said a special national convention would be held on June 3, for the presidential primaries when all qualified candidates would be issued certificates of return.

He said that the criterion for accreditation of delegates for all the party primaries and the national convention was via presentation of a valid party membership card.

“The screening of state Houses of Assembly aspirants would be on May 17, and appeals made same day at the party’s national headquarters.

“Screening for National Assembly aspirants to hold May 18, and appeal to hold same day, while screening for all governorship and presidential aspirants would hold on May 19 at the party’s headquarters.

“The list of all successfully screened and qualified candidates with other accompanying documents would be submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on May 30, as required,” he said.

Udeze said that state Houses of Assembly primaries would hold across the country at the states’ constituencies’ headquarters on May 28.

He said primaries for the National Assembly would hold May 29, and May 30, at the house of representative federal constituencies and senatorial district headquarters.

He added that the governorship primaries would be held nationwide on May 31, at the states’ capitals.

He said that the party’s National Think Tank Committee (NTTC) would converge to confirm the lists of all party candidates and make final submission to INEC on June 2.

According to him, only the party’s presidential primaries will hold on June 3, at the national convention.

April 4, 2022
Trending video: Our members are committing suicide daily, disabled Nigerians cry out

…insist the suffering in Nigeria is alarming

…besiege SGF’s office demanding for promised employment

…vow not to leave until there’s a response

Members of the Association of physically challenged Nigerians on Tuesday raised alarm that their members are committing suicide on a daily basis due to starvation and unemployment in the country.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the group besieged the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF) Boss Mustafa, demanding for employment promised by his office.

Leader of the group in the video clip vowed that they won’t vacate the outer gate of the office until they get a positive response.

He said: “our members have been committing suicide almost on a daily basis because of lack of job and even the loan promised us was not effected.

Watch video below:

July 6, 2021