Tolu Bankole urges local government chairmen to appoint supervisors for Persons with Disabilities to enhance grassroots inclusion and representation.
Tolu Bankole, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee, has called on the 774 local government chairmen across Nigeria to appoint supervisors dedicated to matters concerning Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, Bankole emphasised that implementing this recommendation would significantly enhance the inclusion of PWDs at the grassroots level, especially now that democratically elected leaderships are firmly established across the country.
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His appeal follows a recent Supreme Court ruling affirming the right of local governments to receive monthly allocations directly from the federation account.
This landmark decision granted full autonomy to the 774 local governments in Nigeria, as outlined in the amended 1999 Constitution.
Bankole, who is tasked with overseeing PWD matters within the APC, argued that appointing supervisors for PWD issues in local government administration would foster equality and combat the stigma often faced by this community.
“We have observed over time that despite continuous appeals and engagements, the current structure in many local government areas reflects a concerning exclusion of PWDs in leadership and decision-making roles,” he stated.
He proposed that each local government area (LGA) appoint a supervisor—ideally someone with a disability—who would act as a liaison between the government and the PWD community.
“Local governments are the closest level of government to the people, and their policies impact daily lives. Yet, many LGAs lack direct representation of PWDs in their leadership.
An appointed supervisor in each local government, ideally a PWD, would serve as an essential voice for the community,” Bankole noted.
He added that such supervisors could advocate for the specific needs of PWDs and ensure that local policies align with the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018. This step, he said, is crucial in addressing the existing exclusion of PWDs from governance.
In closing, Bankole urged all local government leaders and stakeholders to support this initiative, asserting that it would mark a significant advancement towards building an inclusive and equitable society for all Nigerians.
