The Society for People with Disability Forum in Northern Nigeria on Sunday passed vote of confidence in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano state.

Subsequently, the forum declared commitment of five million votes of members with disabilities across the 19 Northern states for re-election of President Tinubu and Governor Yusuf in 2027.

The endorsement comes as political parties and interest groups begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections, with disability rights and representation emerging as key issues in calls for more inclusive governance

The National Chairman of the forum, Comrade Yarima Sulaiman Ibrahim, announced the endorsements at a gathering in Kano attended by representatives of persons with disabilities from the northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Ibrahim disclosed the decision to support Tinubu was informed by the establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and the appointment of a Senior Special Assistant to the President on disability matters.

“Before now, we did not have some of these opportunities. The establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and the appointment of a presidential aide for our community are important developments for us,” he said.

He added that the forum was mobilising its members and their families to support the President and Governor Yusuf in the 2027 general elections.

“We are promising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu five million votes from persons with disabilities in Northern Nigeria. We believe we can mobilise even more people before the election,” Ibrahim said.

The forum, however, called on the Federal Government to translate its commitments to disability inclusion into greater representation in political appointments and governance.

Ibrahim asserted that persons with disabilities are seeking opportunities in ministerial positions, government agencies and other public offices, arguing that their participation should extend beyond social welfare programmes.

“When we talk about the five per cent representation, we are looking for ministerial appointments, managing directors and other political positions. We want persons with disabilities to be considered in government appointments and empowerment programmes,” he said.

He also disclosed that the forum had discussed political representation with Governor Yusuf, expressing hope that the state government would appoint members of the disability community to commissioner-level positions if re-elected.

According to him, meaningful inclusion in government would enable persons with disabilities to contribute directly to policy formulation and the implementation of development programmes.

Also speaking, the Kano State Chairman of the society, Sa’adu Ibrahim Gezawa, described the forum’s support for Tinubu and Governor Yusuf as unwavering.

Gezawa said members of the organisation across the 19 northern states, alongside their families and other supporters, would participate in the elections and support the candidates endorsed by the forum.

In his remarks, Governor Yusuf, represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Amina Abdullahi, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare and inclusion of persons with disabilities.

He described persons with disabilities as important contributors to the development of Kano State and Nigeria, stressing that their inclusion was essential to achieving sustainable and equitable development.

The governor said his administration had continued to incorporate persons with disabilities into government programmes through employment opportunities, economic empowerment initiatives and skills acquisition schemes.

He maintained that inclusive governance required deliberate policies that would enable persons with disabilities to participate meaningfully in public life and benefit from government interventions.