0806 673 1702

990 NAL Boulevard, Central Business District Abuja
info@tafafrica.co
Facebook Twitter Youtube Linkedin Instagram
GIVE

PRE-ELECTION PRESS STATEMENT ON THE 2024 ONDO STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION

Akure, Ondo State – Nigeria | Friday, 15th November 2024

Introduction

As Ondo State prepares for the 2024 governorship election, TAF Africa acknowledges the substantial progress made in advancing a more inclusive electoral environment. This election cycle marks a crucial highlight, with both advancements in inclusive electoral practices and remaining challenges that must be addressed to ensure the active participation of all eligible voters, especially persons with disabilities (PWDs).

With 2,053,061 registered voters, including 1,782 people with disabilities, this election represents an important opportunity for broader participation. It is commendable that 1,757,205 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) have been collected, leaving only 295,856 uncollected, a low percentage of 14.4%. However, the lack of specific data on PVC collection by persons with disabilities remains an oversight. Comprehensive and disaggregated data is critical to advancing electoral inclusivity for all.

Furthermore, we recognize the commendable candidature of Barrister Myson Adeyemi Nejo, a person with physical disability, who stands as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate. This is a remarkable step toward increased representation for the community of persons with disabilities, considering no PWD candidate contested in the recent Edo State governorship election. However, we are saddened to hear about the decision of the ADC candidate to withdraw less than 48 hours before the election. This unfortunate turn of events diminishes inclusive representation efforts and emphasizes the need for robust support systems for PWD candidates.

Pre-Election Key Observations

  • Violent Clashes and Security Concerns: We noted with concern the pre-election violent incidents, such as the attacks by political thugs in Idanre Local Government Area, which have instilled fear and apprehension among voters, particularly those with disabilities. While INEC has taken proactive steps by training security personnel to provide a tranquil electoral environment, sustained efforts are essential to prevent further disruptions and ensure the safety of all voters.
  • Lack of Disaggregated Data: While the number of PWDs registered as voters is noted, there is no data on PWD-specific PVC collection. This lack of disaggregated Data obstructs comprehensive analysis and planning for accessible elections. INEC’s commitment to collecting and reporting detailed data on PVC collection by PWDs in future elections is imperative to achieving full electoral inclusivity. 
  • Withdrawal of a PWD Candidate: The withdrawal of Barrister Myson Adeyemi Nejo, the only PWD candidate, less than 48 hours before the election is a significant setback for disability inclusion. His presence on the ballot would have provided representation for PWDs in political leadership, a vital factor in promoting inclusive governance. This highlights the need for stronger advocacy and support mechanisms for PWD political aspirants.
  • Financial Inducement Concerns: Reports of pre-election financial inducements threaten the integrity of the electoral process. The use of money in elections can unfairly influence voters, particularly those in vulnerable communities, including PWDs. Electoral stakeholders must take stronger measures to ensure transparency and guard against financial manipulation.

 

TAF Africa’s Deployment Plan

TAF Africa is committed to monitoring INEC’s compliance with its obligations to provide assistive tools and accommodations to ensure accessible voting for persons with disabilities, as mandated by the Electoral Act 2022, Section 54, Sub-sections 1 & 2. TAF Africa will deploy twenty (20) trained stationary observers to polling units in each local government area with the highest numbers of registered persons with disabilities. In addition, five (5) roving media observers will be assigned to monitor and document INEC’s provision of assistive devices, such as Braille ballot guides for the blind, magnifying glasses for persons with albinism, large font posters for the deaf (Form EC 30 PWD), and priority voting for persons with disabilities.

TAF Africa’s observation efforts are supported by our upgraded election observer app, which facilitates real-time data transmission from observers in the field to the PWD election hub, through our election monitoring dashboard. This data-driven technology enhances the accuracy, speed, and responsiveness of our reporting, enabling timely insights into the electoral environment and compliance levels. Our observers will record data on the availability and accessibility of assistive tools, the prioritization of PWD voters, and the quality of the electoral environment. This information will provide a clear assessment of the degree to which inclusive voting standards are upheld.

 

Recommendations

To facilitate an inclusive, fair, and peaceful election, TAF Africa urges the following:

  • Security agencies should strengthen their presence in identified flashpoints, such as Idanre Local Government, to prevent violence and maintain order and provide security escorts for PWDs where necessary to ensure their safe access to polling units.
  • Full INEC Compliance with Accessibility Standards: We urge INEC to ensure that all necessary assistive devices, such as Braille guides, magnifying glasses, and instructions for the deaf, are available at polling units with registered PWD cluster that needs them. Priority voting for PWDs must be enforced to create a dignified voting experience.
  • Strengthen Data Collection for PWD Inclusion: INEC should ensure disaggregated data collection and publication on PVC distribution among persons with disabilities. This data is essential for identifying gaps in electoral accessibility and fostering PWD participation.
  • Systematic Support for PWD Candidates: Political parties should establish frameworks to support PWD candidates to counter challenges, especially last-minute pressures that may compel them to withdraw. This support is crucial to sustaining the gains of inclusivity and ensuring representative governance.
  • Address Financial Inducements in Elections: INEC, security agencies, and anti-corruption bodies should take decisive action to prevent and penalize the use of financial inducements in the electoral process. For an election to be fair and unbiased, it is essential to make sure that voters are not unduly swayed.

 

While we commend the governorship candidates for signing the peace accord through the National Peace Committee on the 8th of November led by General Abdulsalami Abubakar, we urge all political stakeholders to commit to a non-violent election and respect the principles of free, fair, and inclusive elections in actions. A peaceful election will encourage broad participation and build confidence in Nigeria’s democratic processes.

Through our deployment of trained observers and real-time data-driven reporting, we are poised to contribute meaningfully to ensuring that PWDs participate equally and freely in the 2024 Governorship Election. We will provide periodic updates based on observations and findings from the field. The successful participation of PWDs in the Ondo State election will set a positive precedent for future elections, moving Nigeria closer to achieving a fully inclusive democracy.

God bless the good people of Ondo State.

 

Signed.

Jake Epelle Fnipr

CEO/Founder

TAF Africa

 

 

For media inquiries, please contact Lynn Agwuncha at +234 (0) 706 809 1367 or email l.agwuncha@tafafrica.co

 

More Posts

PRESS STATEMENT: TAF AFRICA LAUNCHES ABLE2RUN CAMPAIGN TO ADVANCE POLITICAL INCLUSION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN NIGERIA

PRESS STATEMENT TAF AFRICA LAUNCHES ABLE2RUN CAMPAIGN TO ADVANCE POLITICAL INCLUSION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN NIGERIA Able2Run – Electability Campaign Organised by TAF Africa Palm Hotel, Abuja – May 12, 2026 Democracy finds its deepest meaning not merely in periodic elections, but in the equal participation of all citizens in shaping governance and national development. A democracy that excludes millions of persons with disabilities (PWDs) from political leadership and decision-making cannot truly claim to be inclusive, representative, or just. TAF Africa is proud to launch the Able2Run – Electability Campaign to see the estimated 34 million Persons with Disability in Nigeria actively participate in politics, not only as voters, but as aspirants, candidates, elected officials, and leaders at all levels of governance. The Able2Run campaign seeks to deepen the national conversation on disability inclusion in governance and confront deeply rooted stereotypes that equate disability with inability. Disability is not incapacity. The real barriers for persons with disabilities are the structural and societal obstacles that limit participation. Across the world, history has shown that disability does not diminish leadership capacity. For perspective, the total votes secured by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election were approximately 8.8 million, a number far fewer than the estimated number of persons with disabilities in Nigeria. This comparison underscores a critical point on the strength this constituency possess. If mobilised and politically organised, persons with disabilities represent a voting bloc large enough to both influence elections, and potentially produce elected leaders at every level. Yet, despite these numbers and the potential, the political inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria remains alarmingly disheartening. TAF Africa’s recent comprehensive national studies on the political participation of persons with disabilities between 2019 and 2025 reveal a troubling pattern of exclusion and underrepresentation. The study documented over 200 persons with disabilities occupying political positions across Nigeria. However, only four persons with disabilities were found to have held elective political offices across the national, state, and local government levels within the study period. This represents less than 0.1% of all elective positions in Nigeria. More disturbing is the fact that none of these elected officials were women with disabilities, highlighting a severe intersectional gap affecting women and girls with disabilities in politics. In contrast, the study identified 213 persons with disabilities occupying appointive positions. Over 99% of positions occupied by PWDs are appointive rather than elective, with more than half (55.2%) serving as Special Advisers or Special Assistants on Disability Matters. While appointments remain important, the dominance of such positions raises legitimate concerns about tokenism rather than genuine political inclusion driven by equity, competence, and democratic participation. The research further revealed that between 2019 and 2025, only 116 persons with disabilities presented themselves as candidates for elective positions nationwide. This shows that beyond societal barriers, there is also an urgent need to inspire confidence, mentorship, political consciousness, and leadership ambition among PWDs themselves. At the national level, the rights of persons with disabilities to participate in politics are clearly protected under Nigerian law. The Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, specifically guarantees the participation of persons with disabilities in politics and public life. Section 30 of the Act provides that persons with disabilities shall be encouraged to fully participate in politics and public affairs, while the government is mandated to actively promote an environment where PWDs can participate effectively and without discrimination in public affairs, political parties, and governance processes. These protections are also reinforced by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantees freedom from discrimination, freedom of association, freedom of expression, and the right of every citizen to participate in public life and governance. Nigeria’s obligations do not end at the national level. Internationally, Nigeria is a State Party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), one of the most important global instruments protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. Article 29 of the Convention clearly guarantees the rights of persons with disabilities to vote, to be elected, to hold public office, and to participate fully in political and public life on an equal basis with others. The Convention further requires governments to ensure accessible electoral systems, accessible voting materials, inclusive political processes, and active participation of persons with disabilities in political parties and public administration. Nigeria, having ratified this Convention, carries both a moral and legal obligation to ensure these rights become realities rather than aspirations. Unfortunately, significant barriers continue to hinder the political participation of persons with disabilities in Nigeria. These include inaccessible polling units and meeting venues, discriminatory attitudes and stereotypes, poverty and lack of financial resources, communication barriers arising from inaccessible information formats, and exclusion within political party structures. Equally concerning is the inadequacy of disability-disaggregated electoral data. Current information from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reportedly reflects fewer than 100,000 registered voters with disability data. This grossly underrepresents the true voting population of persons with disabilities in Nigeria and undermines effective planning for inclusive elections. Political parties also continue to fall short in ensuring full inclusion. TAF Africa’s Political Inclusion Index assessment of major political parties in Nigeria showed that most parties operate only at a moderate or limited level of disability inclusion. While some progress has been recorded, only one of the assessed parties achieved a high inclusion rating. This demonstrates that significant work remains to ensure disability inclusion becomes institutionalised within party structures, policies, and electoral processes. In response to these realities, TAF Africa has opened a national mentorship and coaching programme for aspiring politicians with disabilities interested in contesting elective offices at all levels, including councillorship, chairmanship, State Houses of Assembly, governorships, National Assembly seats, and the Presidency.  This initiative is supported by the European Union, under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Programme. Through this programme, TAF Africa intends to establish virtual political incubation hubs across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and provide mentorship support to at least 180 aspiring politicians

TAF Africa Launches Able2Run Electability Campaign: A Call To Persons With Disabilities To Contest For Office Ahead of Nigeria Decides 2027

TAF Africa Launches Able2Run Electability Campaign A Call To Persons With Disabilities To Contest For Office Ahead of Nigeria Decides 2027 https://youtu.be/r6rJzCLba7s On Tuesday, May 12th, 2026, TAF Africa, supported by the European Union through its Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Programme formally launched the Able2Run Electability Campaign at Press Conference in Abuja, Nigeria. The Able2Run Electability Campaign aims to see the estimated 34 million PWDs in Nigeria actively participate in politics, not only as voters, but as aspirants, elected officials, and leaders at all levels of governance. Our campaign aims to dismantle the stereotype that ‘disability equals inability’ and to move persons with disabilities from the margins to the center of democratic leadership. We urge persons with disabilities (PWDs) to run for office and reject self-doubt; for political parties to adopt inclusion policies, waive nomination fees for PWDs, and make materials accessible in braille, large print, and audio, and INEC to enforce disability inclusion guidelines and update its voter register with accurate disability-disaggregated data. Register for the Political Leadership Programme (PLP) for PWDs. Our Political Leadership Program (PLP) for PWDs stands part of our collection of flagship campaigns in Inclusive Elections and Governance. It is a national mentorship and coaching programme for aspiring politicians with disabilities interested in contesting elective offices at all levels. We will be establishing virtual political incubation hubs across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and provide mentorship support to at least 180 aspiring politicians with disabilities. If you a person with disability and are passionate about doing your part to transform Nigerian society for the better, to put your commitment on the table for a better future for Nigerian children of all demographics, visit this link: https://tafafrica.co/abletorun-electability-campaign/ and register at the bottom of the page. Moving Forward, more work needs to be done, more people need to be reached, the net needs to widened, and we need more inclusive participation in elections in Nigeria and Africa at large. You can support TAF Africa’s work through donations on our website, volunteering, and sharing our work to your network. 🔗 Support TAF Africa.

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn