PWDs in Ebonyi lament alleged social discrimination

Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Ebonyi have complained of gross political and socio-economic discrimination in the state.

Operating under the aegis of the National United Association of Physically Challenged Persons of Nigeria (NUAPCP), they said that the development had brought untold hardship to them.

They spoke when they paid a solidarity visit to the LP Governorship Candidate in the 2023 General Elections in the state, Dr Edward Nkwegu.

The National President of NUAPCP, Mr Silas Egede, who led the group, regretted that they were being made to suffer economic and political deprivations due to their physical disabilities.

Egede said that physically-challenged persons in the state were suffering different forms of segregation and usually not included in the scheme of things, notwithstanding their contributions to societal development.

He alleged that none of the political parties in the state fielded physically-challenged persons for any elective positions for 2023.

He also alleged that PWDs were not considered for political appointments, adding that the group had no representative in the State Executive Council.

Egede said that the group chose to identify with the governorship hopeful because of his "sterling humanitarian and philanthropic attributes.

"Today is a great day for all PWDs in Ebonyi. God has appointed today for our joy.

"We have come to express our solidarity to you and thank God who has protected your going out and coming in.

"Having assessed your commitment and contributions toward ameliorating the sufferings of the poor, the vulnerable and especially those of us with disabilities, have no choice but to adopt you as our preferred candidate.

"Our members are powerful and we have the numerical strength to sway the outcome of the election.

"We are here to assure you that we are going to mobilise our wives, children, associates and relatives to vote for you," Egede said.

He appealed to Nkwegu to assist them with tricycles to ease their movements and a liaison office in Abuja.

The group proclaimed him as its patron and pledged to back him up with their prayers.

Responding, Nkwegu said that part of his four-point agenda included making life better for the vulnerable and physically challenged persons in the state.

He further said that PWDs have great potential that must be discovered and properly harnessed.

According to him, being physically challenged is not the same as being mentally challenged.

"I believe that a disabled person is only someone who has mental challenge.

"Every other challenge is merely physical.

"So, a person is physically challenged and not disabled.

"Mere physical challenge is not enough to brand a person disabled because once your brain is working properly, you can achieve your dreams, you can think, plan and implement your dreams.

"I want to encourage you not to lose hope, the pain of life is universal.

"No matter how much progress one makes, the vicissitudes of life will not go away and nobody is free from the pains of life," Nkwegu said.