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2023 OFF-CYCLE ELECTION PRE-ELECTION PRESS BRIEFING

PRE-ELECTION PRESS BRIEFING ON TAF AFRICA’S PREPAREDNESS FOR THE UPCOMING OFF-CYCLE ELECTION IN IMO, KOGI, AND BAYELSA STATES, ISSUED ON FRIDAY, 10TH NOVEMBER 2023 Introduction: We have come to another momentous period in this continuing democratic dispensation, which is the off-cycle elections taking place in Imo, Kogi, and Bayelsa States tomorrow the 11th of November 2023. The 11th of November holds immense significance for TAF Africa as we embark on our election observation mission. Our team is committed to meticulously monitoring these elections, with a primary focus on how they affect the disability community. We aim to assess the accessibility of polling stations, the availability of assistive tools, and the overall experience of voters with disabilities. Our work extends beyond mere observation; we actively engage with stakeholders, educate voters with disabilities about their rights, and advocate for positive changes to enhance the inclusivity of the electoral process. Through this action, we seek to not only promote fair and equitable elections but also to raise awareness about the importance of disability inclusion in the broader context of democratic governance. This statement, therefore, seeks to communicate to you our preparedness and concerns, ahead of the 2023 off-cycle elections. TAF AFRICA'S PREPAREDNESS TAF Africa is taking the following steps in preparation for the elections: Observers Deployment: We are committed to ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the electoral process. To this end, we are deploying a team of thirty (30) well-trained observers to polling units with registered persons with disabilities in each of the three states. These observers will closely observe the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) level of compliance with the provision of assistive tools for persons with disabilities as mandated by the Electoral Act. This will include the availability of a Braille Ballot guide for the blind, magnifying glasses for persons with albinism, election day written instruction for the deaf ballot guides, as well as access to priority voting, and any other necessary accommodations. Beyond the observation of the responsiveness of the process to persons with disabilities, we will of course also be assessing the general quality and integrity of the elections. Upgraded Election Observer App: As in the general elections held earlier this year, our observation and assessment will be technology and data-driven. TAF Africa has upgraded its election observer app to enhance our data collection and real-time reporting capabilities. This app will allow our observers to transmit information swiftly in real time to our election hubs. This technology will significantly improve the accuracy and timeliness of our observations. PWD Election Hub: In each of the three states, we have established a PWD election hub, where information received from our observers will be aggregated and analyzed in real time. This data will be displayed on our PWD election monitoring dashboard, and accessible to the public, stakeholders, and relevant authorities. This transparency tool is vital for ensuring accountability in the electoral process. SECURITY CONCERNS Regarding the participation of people with disabilities in the impending off-cycle elections, we are extremely concerned about the security situation. Election-related violence has a history in Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi. Imo state has seen a high level of electoral and non-electoral violence throughout 2023, so security is a major concern as the election draws near. The community of persons with disabilities might be discouraged from voting if the situation stays unstable. In the two months preceding the election, electoral violence has increased in Bayelsa, while Kogi state has seen the highest number of fatalities from this type of violence. This dire security situation is likely to discourage the participation of persons with disabilities and the general electorate. RECOMMENDATIONS Bearing in mind these concerns and more, we, therefore, wish to make the following recommendations: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC):
  • INEC Should ensure proper coordination with security agencies to forestall incidences of violence and ensure the safety of voters and poll officials on election day.
  • The 2022 Electoral Act stipulates that every person with a disability is entitled to priority voting. INEC should ensure that this right is duly respected by its polling officials and that PWDs are allowed priority voting at their respective polling units.
  • INEC should ensure proper and adequate deployment of assistive tools for persons with disabilities in the Gubernatorial and state assembly elections, such as magnifying glasses, Election Day written instruction (FORM 30E PWD), and braille ballot guide.
Security Agencies: Security agencies should deploy adequate security to polling units to protect voters from violence. The police should also investigate and prosecute perpetrators of electoral violence. Bringing perpetrators of violence to book will demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to a violence-free electoral process. Political Parties:
  • Political parties should commit to conducting peaceful elections and work to prevent their supporters from engaging in violence.
Civil Society Organizations:
  • We urge civil society groups watching the voting process to report any instances of violence or prejudice against people with disabilities.
  • Persons with Disabilities:
  • We also call on persons with disabilities to exercise their right to vote. Do not be intimidated by the threat of violence. Your vote is a civic duty, one vote abstained for no just cause, is a definite vote against our democracy.
  • Conclusion: TAF Africa remains committed to promoting disability inclusion in the electoral process, despite the potential challenge. We call on relevant authorities, political parties, and civil society organizations to prioritize the rights and needs of persons with disabilities.
Together, we can ensure that all citizens, including those with disabilities, can participate in the electoral process freely and without fear. We will continue to work diligently to provide updates and reports on our observations throughout the election. Thank you for your attention.  

SIGNED:

Amb. Jake Epelle CEO/Founder, TAF Africa Convener, Disability Inclusion Nigeria Social Media Handles: Twitter: @TAF_Africa Instagram: @taf__africa Facebook: TAF Africa Website: www.tafafrica.co WhatsApp: 09088757496

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Announcing…DemoCrazy

What happens when the headlines make you laugh, sigh, and question everything at the same time? You get DemoCrazy, the bold new podcast from the CEO and Founder of TAF Africa, Amb. Jake Epelle. In a country where politics often feels like theatre, DemoCrazy pulls back the curtain, not with long speeches, but with sharp, 60 to 120-second episodes that cut straight to the heart of the issue. With satire as his scalpel and wit as his voice, Amb. Epelle dissects the political moments shaping Nigeria today, exposing contradictions, questioning leadership, and providing a serious reminder that democracy is not a spectator sport. Beyond just commentary and humour, the DemoCrazy is clarity and its accountability. It’s a civic wake-up call. Each episode delivers a powerful reminder: behind every absurd headline are real people, real rights, and real consequences, especially for marginalized communities, including persons with disabilities, whose voices must never be drowned out by political noise. Why DemoCrazy matters now more than ever: It makes politics accessible, engaging, and impossible to ignore. It challenges citizens to think, question, and stay informed. It transforms frustration into awareness, and awareness into action. Democracy works best when citizens are informed, alert, and engaged. DemoCrazy invites you to listen, reflect, and share. Listen, laugh, think, act. Follow Jake Epelle’s social media platforms, subscribe when episodes drop, and share with your networks. Because when citizens pay attention, democracy becomes less “DemoCrazy” and more powerful. Subscribe now and join the conversation. Your voice matters, your awareness matters, and your engagement could make all the difference. Facebook X-twitter Youtube Linkedin

Citizen’s Townhall on Electoral Act 2026

Electoral Act 2026: What it means for your vote and the 2027 Elections.  On Sunday, 1st of March, 2026, at 7:30 PM, the Civil Society Network on Electoral Integrity is convening a townhall which aims to move the conversation beyond elite policy circles and create an open, interactive platform where citizens can engage directly with experts and institutional stakeholders. Join the live broadcast on Channels TV, Arise News, News Central, AIT, RayPower FM, and Nigeria Info FM. The question? Will Nigeria’s new Electoral Act 2026 reshape how votes are cast, counted, and protected come 2027? 🔗 Join Us.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: ToR for Disability Inclusion Survey in Public and Private Schools

TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR) DISABILITY INCLUSION SURVEY IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE THREE SENATORIAL DISTRICTS OF RIVERS STATE 1.1 About TAF Africa TAF Africa is an independent, non-governmental, and not-for-profit organization originally established to promote health, socio-economic rights, well-being, and empowerment of persons with albinism. Over time, TAF Africa has evolved into a leading disability rights organization advocating for the recognition, protection, and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and other vulnerable groups in Nigeria. The organization actively contributes to legislative reforms, policy development, and advocacy initiatives that promote disability inclusion, mainstreaming, and effective participation of persons with disabilities in governance, development, and public life. 1.2 Project Background The Enhancing Disability-Inclusive Governance project, funded by the Disability Rights Fund (DRF) and implemented by TAF Africa in Rivers State, aims to strengthen disability-inclusive governance at the sub-national level in Rivers State, focusing on the education, health, and justice sectors. The intervention responds to the delayed domestication and operationalization of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, and seeks to address systemic discrimination, stigma, exclusion, and limited access to essential services faced by persons with disabilities.   The project aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 4 (Quality Education), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). 2.1 Rationale for the Assignment Persons with disabilities in Nigeria face significant educational barriers, including inaccessible infrastructure, limited availability of trained inclusive education teachers, weak policy implementation, and poor data availability. These challenges are particularly pronounced in public schools and rural communities. Evidence-based data is therefore essential for: Informing advocacy and policy engagement Improving planning and budgeting processes Strengthening inclusive education programming Tracking progress toward inclusive governance This assignment aims to gather robust baseline data on disability inclusion in public and private schools across Rivers State’s three senatorial districts, capturing the experiences of students with disabilities, their parents/caregivers, teachers, school administrators, and relevant government officials. 2.2. Overview of the Assignment TAF Africa seeks to engage a qualified consultant or consulting firm to conduct a comprehensive Disability Inclusion Survey in selected public and private schools across Rivers State, covering three senatorial districts, with emphasis on urban and rural schools within the State Capital and surrounding communities. The assignment will involve: Mapping disability inclusion practices Assessing accessibility, learning outcomes, teaching capacity, and policy compliance Identifying systemic barriers and opportunities Generating evidence for advocacy, policy reform, and inclusive programming 2.3. Objectives of the Assignment This assignment aims to assess the level, quality, and effectiveness of disability inclusion in public and private schools across selected communities in Rivers State, to inform advocacy, policy reform, and inclusive governance interventions. Specifically, this survey is designed to: Assess physical, institutional, pedagogical, and attitudinal accessibility of schools for students with disabilities. Examine the availability and capacity of trained teachers and inclusive education resources. Evaluate policy awareness and implementation of disability-inclusive education standards. Document lived experiences of students with disabilities and their caregivers. Identify barriers, best practices, and opportunities for improving inclusive education systems. Develop actionable recommendations for government, civil society, donors, and education stakeholders. 2.4. Scope of Work In an effort to achieve the above objectives, the consultant shall undertake, but not be limited to, the following tasks: 2.5. Study Design and Methodology The consultant shall develop a comprehensive mixed-method research design incorporating: Quantitative surveys Qualitative interviews Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) Observation of school accessibility and attitudes 2.6. Geographical Coverage All three senatorial districts of Rivers State Minimum of 2 rural schools in each senatorial district and 2 urban schools within the State Capital 2.7. Target Groups Students with disabilities Parents/caregivers Teachers and school administrators Education ministry officials SUBEB officials School proprietors (private schools)   2.8. Key Questions, among others, to be considered by the consultant What is the current status of disability inclusion in schools across Rivers State? How accessible are school infrastructures and learning environments? What capacity gaps exist among teachers and school administrators? What institutional, cultural, and policy barriers limit inclusion? What interventions are required to strengthen inclusive education governance?   2.9. Data Collection The consultant is expected to develop and deploy ethically compliant data collection tools, train enumerators where necessary, and systematically administer surveys and interviews to ensure the collection of high-quality, reliable data. Throughout the process, apply inclusive approaches that actively engage individuals across diverse disability types (physical, visual, hearing, intellectual, psychosocial, and multiple disabilities) so that findings accurately reflect varied experiences and perspectives without bias. 3.1. Reporting and Dissemination Produce high-quality analytical reports Develop advocacy-oriented policy briefs Facilitate stakeholder reflection and validation workshops 3.2. Expected Outputs and Deliverables Output Description Inception Report Methodology, sampling plan, tools, workplan, ethical considerations Survey Instruments Final questionnaires, interview guides, observation checklists Clean Dataset Disaggregated and anonymized survey data Draft Report Analytical findings and recommendations Final Report Comprehensive research report Policy Brief Advocacy-focused summary for policymakers Stakeholder Reflection Workshop Validation and dissemination session 4.1. Use of Findings The findings will be used to: Inform advocacy and engagement with Rivers State Government Support legislative reforms and policy formulation Guide inclusive education programming Strengthen donor engagement Improve disability-inclusive budgeting in Rivers state 4.2. Institutional Arrangement The consultant shall: Work closely with the Senior M&E Officer under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager, DRF at TAF Africa. Submit all deliverables for review, validation, and approval through a joint meeting with the consultant and TAF Africa team. Participate in coordination and technical review meetings as required. 4.3. Duration of Assignment: 6 weeks 4.4. Reporting Timeline and Payment Schedule Output Timeline Payment Inception Report Within 2 weeks of contract signing 60% Final Report & Outputs Within 4 weeks after approval of the inception report 40%   5.1. Required Qualifications and Experience The lead Consultant should have at least 15 years of proven experience in disability research, governance, or inclusive development. s/he should possess a PhD or MSc in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Public Policy, Education,

Civil Society Statement on Harmonization of the Electoral Bill by the National Assembly

This statement is issued in furtherance of our earlier statement issued on February 5 in which we expressed deep concerns over the Senate’s rejection of electronic transmission of election results and use of downloaded missing or unissued voter cards for elections, as well as shortening of critical electoral timelines Read more… Unable to display PDF file. Download instead.

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