The Disabled Persons Empowerment Foundation (DPEF) wants more of its members to be given the opportunity in governance to contribute their quota to national development.
Mr Parkins Uzor, Chief Executive Officer of the foundation made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki, Abia State on Monday.
He stressed that the Federal Government can do this by integrating more persons with disabilities in governance.
According to him, when people are not represented in any way in government, it is difficult for them to influence or sponsor bills that will affect their lives.
He said, “Any democratic dividend from the three tiers of government without full and total emancipation of people living with disabilities is a monumental failure.
“Persons with disabilities have all it takes to economic prosperity. We have the political energy and momentum. Our strength for economic growth is undisputable.
“There is no provision in the constitution which says people living with disabilities are not entitled to holding public offices or elective positions.” Mr Uzor called for the creation of a Disabled Persons Welfare Fund and a Ministry for the Physically Challenged where funds recovered from corrupt officials should be kept for effective use.
He said some sections of the public are not concerned about the plight of persons with disabilities.
“They keep creating awareness that people living with disabilities should not be stigmatised.
“Our problem is not stigmatisation but empowerment. If we are being empowered, nobody will stigmatise us,” he said.
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