Bankole to APC, Political Leaders: Move Beyond Discounts, Give PWDs Seats in Governance

 

The National Leader of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the All Progressives Congress, Aare (Hon) Tolu Bankole, has called for deliberate allocation of legislative and executive seats to qualified PWDs, saying inclusion must move beyond fee waivers to actual power-sharing.

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In a press statement issued Thursday, 23 April 2026, Bankole commended the APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for “notable strides” in advancing inclusion, including the recent 50 per cent reduction in nomination fees for PWD aspirants and state-level social protection and skills programs. 

“From policy level interventions to practical support measures, the administration has strengthened the implementation of disability friendly frameworks, expanded access to opportunities, and promoted the visibility of PWDs within public institutions,” Bankole said.

However, he stressed that financial concessions alone are insufficient. 

“While I sincerely thank our great party for these inclusive gestures, I must state clearly that it is not enough. Reducing nomination fees is important, but inclusion cannot stop at access to forms. It must extend to access to power, representation, and decision making,” he said.

Bankole urged political leaders and party stakeholders to “go beyond tokenism” and adopt structural reforms that guarantee representation. He specifically called on the APC to cede a fair number of legislative seats at both state and federal levels to qualified PWD members.

“We have millions of qualified, competent, and committed PWD politicians within our ranks who are ready to serve and deliver,” he noted.

He added that inclusion should cover executive appointments as well: “This deliberate inclusion must not be limited to legislative positions alone. Executive roles at all levels must also reflect this commitment. Inclusion must be seen, felt, and measured in real governance structures.”

Citing global benchmarks, Bankole said disability representation in European parliaments ranges between 3 and 6 percent, with the UK and Sweden using strong legal frameworks. He noted that India has constitutional provisions reserving seats for PWDs, while Rwanda and South Africa have adopted inclusive frameworks for marginalised groups.

By contrast, he said, Nigeria’s representation of PWDs in elective and appointive positions remains “far below one percent,” a gap he attributed not to lack of capacity, but to “a lack of deliberate inclusion.”

“Now is the time for intentional, structured, and measurable inclusion. We must not wait until it becomes too late to correct systemic exclusion. Talking about inclusion when the opportunity to act has passed serves no one’s interest,” Bankole warned.

He reaffirmed his commitment to advocate for PWDs within the APC and nationally, saying the party has an opportunity to “redefine political inclusion in Nigeria.”

“Let us rise to this moment and ensure that governance at all levels truly reflects the diversity and strength of our people,” he concluded.