The Joint National Associations of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD), Imo State Chapter has appealed to the state governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma to allot some local government council seats to its members.
The Chairman and Secretary of the association, Clinton Chinonyerem and Nwaocha Rex made the appeal in a letter dated July 18 and addressed to the governor.
The association disclosed that five of its members have indicated interest to contest in the September 21, 2024 council elections but were being hampered by the huge cost of expression of interest and nomination forms.
According to the chairman, the cost of the forms is completely out of the reach of members of the association.
(Chinonyerem)
The letter reads; "Your Excellency sir, we are glad that you're taking governance back to the people at the grassroots which shows that you have the plights of the rural dwellers at heart by this singular act.
"In the spirit of inclusion sir, persons with disabilities in Imo are passionately soliciting to be carried along in the up-coming council election in the state to give us a sense of belonging by magnanimously allotting certain slots to us so that our voices may be heard.
"So far sir, five (5) of our members have indicated interest in the councilorship race under the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) but constrained because of the high cost of Nomination / Expression of Interest Form which are not affordable.
"In the height of the above sir, we therefore solemnly pray Your Excellency and the APC leadership to consider our plights by-:
"1) Allotting certain number of councillorship positions in the local government areas to persons with disabilities out of the 305 INEC WARDS in the spirit of inclusion.
"2) Not attaching monetary values to Nomination / Expression of Interest Forms for persons with disabilities as shown by other political parties - thereby creating a serene / enabling environment for our people to be involved in Imo polity.
"We are hopeful that our voices will be heard and solemn plea passionately considered because we believe in you sir".
Sources say the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the state is charging N3million and N1million for its chairmanship and councillorship forms respectively.
