TAF Africa has intensified efforts to promote inclusive participation in Nigeria’s electoral process, rallying the country’s estimated 30 million persons with disabilities (PWDs) to register as voters and actively participate in the 2027 general elections.

The call was made on Thursday by the Assistant Programmes Officer of TAF Africa, George Anwayi, during a voter registration sensitization exercise organised in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for persons with disabilities at Yangoji Camp in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Anwayi said the initiative was part of TAF Africa’s nationwide campaign to mobilise and educate persons with disabilities on the importance of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise and the need to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

He stressed that democracy can only be truly inclusive when every eligible citizen, regardless of disability, is empowered to participate in the electoral process.

According to him, the estimated population of over 30 million persons with disabilities constitutes a significant voting bloc capable of influencing electoral outcomes if properly mobilised.

“We believe that persons with disabilities are equal citizens like every other Nigerian and should not be excluded from the country’s democratic process. Over 30 million persons with disabilities in Nigeria represent a huge population that cannot be ignored.

“We want them to have a say in deciding who becomes the president of Nigeria, and they can only do that by registering as voters and casting their votes,” Anwayi said.

He explained that TAF Africa deliberately extended the sensitization campaign to grassroots communities because many persons with disabilities in rural and underserved areas rarely benefit from civic education and voter mobilisation programmes.

Anwayi disclosed that the organisation had earlier conducted a similar exercise at an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp on Kano Road in Kaduna, where INEC officials registered eligible persons with disabilities, facilitated polling unit transfers and processed requests for replacement Permanent Voter Cards.

He said although the organisation targets about 100 beneficiaries in each selected location, the larger objective is to use media platforms to encourage persons with disabilities across the country to visit registration centres before the current Continuous Voter Registration exercise ends.

“We know we cannot physically reach all persons with disabilities in Nigeria, which is why we invited the media. We want those in other states and communities to hear this message and take advantage of the registration exercise before it closes this month,” he added.

Anwayi described TAF Africa as a non-governmental organisation committed to promoting the rights, dignity and inclusion of persons with disabilities across all sectors of society.

He noted that the organisation’s advocacy is guided by the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, and the Electoral Act while commending INEC for its sustained commitment to disability inclusion, noting that the electoral body has continued to provide assistive devices such as Braille ballot guides, magnifying glasses and large-print graphic posters to enable persons with disabilities to vote independently.

“INEC has been very cooperative when it comes to disability inclusion. We work together effectively because while we mobilise and sensitise, INEC conducts the voter registration. Together, we are ensuring that persons with disabilities participate fully in Nigeria’s electoral process,” he said.

The sensitization exercise forms part of broader efforts by TAF Africa and its partners to improve political participation among persons with disabilities and ensure that no eligible voter is left behind as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.