The Founder of The Albino Foundation (TAF), Mr Jake Epelle has called on Media Professionals to ensure that the activities of Persons With Disabilities PWDs are given optimal coverage during the forthcoming elections.
Mr Epelle made the call in Abuja, at a capacity building workshop on inclusive media reportage for the 2023 general election.
He disclosed that the foundation was planning to launch Election Hub with details of eligible PWD voters, maintained that the support of the media was necessary to achieve such feat.
According to the CEO of TAF, data from the election hub will guide the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on areas to deploy resources and facilities such as braille machines and others that will aid PWDs to vote on election day.
“We are deploying what we call the PWD Election Hub and we are also launching the PWD dashboard to monitor the election process. The dashboard will actually tell you the eligible PWDs who are going to vote in the forthcoming election”.
“We are also launching an app in which the media can use in its reportage. All of these would be formally launched. We are waiting for INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu to give us a date on when it will be launched”. Mr Ekpelle noted.
He explained that PWDs do not participate in the previous elections due to voter apathy. “They are not just interested in getting involved because they do not know the provisions that are available for them to participate effectively and they do not know the process and procedures to follow to participate in the electoral process.”
Mr Ekpelle appealed to journalists to help deepen report and highlight issues affecting PWDs so that policy makers and international partners would be aware of the main challenges the organization was facing.
President Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ, Mr Chris Isiguzo while stating that over 200 journalists have so far been trained on election coverage, advised media professionals to give more attention on the marginalized group.
“Engage more on conflict sensitive reporting, let’s report authentic stories that promotes national peace and development. Nigerian citizens needs us more at this time for credible information on electoral process, we must not fail them”
The Executive Director of International Press Centre, Mr Lanre Arogundade, refreshed the Journalists memory on how to “Report Until Something Happens” (RUSH).
“You must be well informed about the issue before rushing to report, always counter fake news and change societal misconceptions about PWDs”.
In her presentation, Program Manager TAF, Ndifreka Ferdinand, disclosed that the organization intends to mobilize about 700 observers across the country to monitor the election, while over 85,000 PWDs are already registered with INEC for the election.
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