Ahead of the inauguration on the 29th of May, TAF Africa tasked the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, and other elected individuals to dedicate 10 percent of ministerial and Special Advisers, Special Advisers, appointments to persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the spirit of national unity and inclusion.
The CEO/Founder of TAF Africa, Amb. Jake Epelle, made this demand during a Stakeholders’ Strategic Roundtable on the Able to Serve Campaign, themed, “Disability Inclusion in the Appointment of Cabinet Members: A Call for Inclusive Governance”.
Amb. Epelle further stated that there is nothing wrong with the president-elect appointing PWDs into his cabinet because they have a major stake in the development of Nigeria. He emphasized that in the spirit of inclusivity, the appointments will add value and give a sense of belonging to PWDs, adding that they have a huge but untapped potential, skills, and perspectives needed to impact positively in the decision-making process and good governance, hence the agitation for appointments.
He further explained that the strategic roundtable was basically organized to create awareness and get the commitment of the various political parties to driving disability inclusion in the appointment of cabinet members within the incoming government.
According to him, “If you truly want to run a government of national unity, then that government should be inclusive of all irrespective of gender, disability status, religion, and do whatever that needs to be done so that everyone will sit on the table, which is the way forward.”
Dr. Chike Okogwu, Founder of, the Center for Ability, Rehabilitation, and Empowerment (CARE Nigeria) stressed that it is a matter of right for PWDs to demand political appointments.
According to him, “There is an Act prohibiting discrimination against persons with disabilities. It says at least five percent of persons with disabilities should be given employment. it is a five percent minimum, but we are saying we want 10 percent.
“Take me for example, I’m only physically impaired, I’m not disabled in any manner and there are lots of us like that. we are bringing capacity, competence, courage, and everything that makes us excel. You are giving us as a matter of right, but do not look at us only from the prism of disabilities, look beyond what we represent. A lot of us are well educated, a lot of us are intellectuals, we have what it takes to do what you want”, he added.
At the end of the roundtable, the different disability clusters present made their demands to the elected individuals from various political parties through a communique that was signed and issued.
Stakeholders’ Preparedness for a Disability Inclusive Governorship Election in Anambra State
PRESS STATEMENT TAF AFRICA TO HOST LIVE TELEVISION STAKEHOLDERS’ ENGAGEMENT ON DISABILITY-INCLUSIVE ELECTION PREPAREDNESS IN ANAMBRA STATE In its sustained effort to promote disability-inclusive democratic processes in Nigeria, TAF Africa, with funding support from the European Union through the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN 11) Programme, will host a Live Television Stakeholders’ Engagement on the preparedness of key institutions to deliver a disability inclusive governorship election in Anambra State. The 2-hour live broadcast is scheduled for Sunday, 12th October 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. It will besimultaneously streamed from Anambra state on Arise Television, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Awka, and the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) to ensure wider public reach and visibility. The televised engage1nent aims to provide a public platform for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, the media, and the community of persons with disabilities (PWDs) to discuss institutional readiness, collaboration, and commitments toward ensuring an accessible, inclusive, and credible election in Anambra State on November 8, 2025. According to Ambassador Jake Epelle, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of TAF Africa, “Elections are not truly democratic until every eligible citizen, including persons with disabilities, can participate on an equal basis. This live engagement provides an avenue for transparency, public accountability, and shared responsibility among critical stakeholders ahead of the Anambra governorship election.” The engagement will feature two high-level panel sessions. The first session, moderated by Amb. Jake Epelle will bring together representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to discuss institutional and security preparedness. The second session, moderated by George Anwayi, Senior Programme Officer at TAF Africa, will engage media executives and disability advocates, including the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), the General Manager of NTA Awka, and the Managing Director of Anambra Broadcasting Service, to explore inclusive media coverage and public awareness strategies. This live engagement forms part of TAF Africa’s broader #AbletoVote campaign under the EU-SDGN II programme, designed to strengthen disability-inclusive electoral reforms, promote civic participation, and inspire public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic system. TAF Africa aims to create a barrier-free political environment that promotes the full participation of persons with disabilities in the country’s democratic journey by bringing critical voices to the table and broadcasting the discussion live to millions of Nigerians. For media enquiries, please contact: Lynn Agwuncha, Senior Communication Officer, TAF Africa, 07068091367 or l.agwuncha@tafafrica.co https://youtu.be/k89KkHX5u7c