 in Lagos State, under the Deaf Support Group, have raised concerns over what they describe as persistent neglect and exclusion from the party’s political processes){kind=link}
Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, under the Deaf Support Group, have raised concerns over what they describe as persistent neglect and exclusion from the party’s political processes — particularly the recent primary elections held ahead of the local government polls scheduled for July 12, 2025.
The APC primaries, which took place on May 10, were conducted to select chairmanship and councillorship candidates across the state’s 57 local councils.
However, members of the deaf community within the party say they were not included or considered during this critical stage.
Speaking during a press conference in the Ogba area of Lagos, the group’s chairman, Onifade Fatai, lamented the continued marginalisation of deaf persons in politics, despite ongoing campaigns for disability inclusion.
“It is evident that the deaf community is being left out of the political space, even though there are repeated calls for inclusive governance that accommodates all persons with disabilities,” Fatai said.
He criticised the pattern of favouring other categories of persons with disabilities over the deaf, especially when appointments or political roles are being distributed.
“In practice, deaf individuals are often overlooked, while other disability groups receive attention when political opportunities arise,” he added.
Fatai noted that one of the common justifications given for sidelining deaf individuals is their dependence on sign language interpreters, which some fear could compromise confidentiality.
“This kind of thinking is outdated. In today’s world, communication barriers can be easily overcome with the help of technology,” he argued.
He explained that many deaf people are educated and tech-savvy, effectively using tools like WhatsApp, Facebook, email, SMS, Zoom, and Google Meet to communicate.
“Interpreters are only necessary when we need to interact with people who do not understand sign language. This is why we’re encouraging more Nigerians to learn it so communication can happen directly,” he said.
Fatai also pointed out that the global movement for disability rights is pushing for genuine inclusion — not just in voting, but also in leadership and decision-making.
He urged political parties to create opportunities for persons with disabilities to contest for positions and hold office, rather than being limited to support roles.
“Real inclusion means giving everyone — including the deaf — a seat at the table when policies are being made and candidates are being chosen,” Fatai said.