The All-Rights Foundation (TAF Africa) has taken its “Able to Vote” sensitisation campaign to Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, urging persons living with disabilities to understand, protect and exercise their civic rights ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The outreach, held at Omoro Hall, Emede, was designed to promote inclusive participation in Nigeria’s electoral process and ensure that persons with disabilities are not excluded from voting or other forms of democratic engagement.
Speaking at the programme, Assistant Programme Manager of TAF Africa, George Dominic Anwayi, said the initiative was aimed at empowering persons with disabilities with the knowledge required to participate fully in elections and exercise their rights without discrimination.
Anwayi said the Nigerian Constitution guarantees citizens the right to vote and participate in the democratic process, stressing that disability should not be used as a basis for exclusion.
He said TAF Africa was established in 2007 to promote equal rights and opportunities for persons with disabilities and had over the years implemented interventions aimed at improving their participation and wellbeing.
According to him, the current sensitisation programme is being funded by the European Union in partnership with TAF Africa.
Anwayi also highlighted some of the organisation’s previous interventions, including the provision of wheelchairs, hearing aids, CanGuide devices, laptops and other assistive technologies to persons with disabilities.
He urged participants to recognise the power of their votes and resist attempts by politicians to influence their electoral choices with temporary material benefits.
The call followed a concern raised by a participant over the practice of politicians providing food, money and other forms of assistance during election periods, only to abandon constituents after securing political office.
In response, Anwayi advised persons with disabilities not to exchange their votes for food, cash or other short-term benefits, noting that their votes should be used to demand accountable and responsive leadership.
He further encouraged participants to actively participate in political and democratic processes, including expressing their views and making informed choices at the ballot box.
Also speaking, TAF Africa’s Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Terfa Tyokase, explained that the organisation was formerly known as The Albino Foundation before adopting the name The All-Rights Foundation in 2022.
Tyokase said the organisation had implemented programmes covering inclusive education, disability rights and electoral participation, among other areas.
The programme also featured an interactive question-and-answer session, during which participants sought clarification on issues affecting the ability of persons with disabilities to participate effectively in elections.
The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) in Isoko South, Comrade Sammy Emmanuel and Mr. Samson Ogowewo, commended TAF Africa for taking the sensitisation campaign to the area.
They said the programme had deepened their understanding of their rights and responsibilities as citizens and would encourage more persons with disabilities to participate actively in the electoral process.
The “Able to Vote” campaign is part of efforts to promote a more inclusive electoral system in which persons with disabilities can exercise their franchise and participate meaningfully in Nigeria’s democratic process.
