The Society for People with Disability Forum in the North-West has pledged to mobilise five million votes for President Bola Tinubu and Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf in the 2027 general elections.
The forum announced its endorsement of the two leaders on Sunday during a sensitisation programme in Kano aimed at encouraging persons with disabilities to participate in the electoral process.
Its National Chairman, Yarima Suleiman, said the decision was informed by what the group described as the contributions of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led governments to the welfare and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Suleiman cited the establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and the appointment of a Senior Special Assistant to the President on disability matters as key initiatives supporting the group’s position.
He expressed optimism that a Tinubu re-election victory in 2027 would lead to greater representation of persons with disabilities in government, adding that the forum was pushing for a five per cent appointment allocation for them across federal ministries, departments and agencies.
The chairman also claimed that the forum had reached an agreement with Governor Yusuf on appointments in Kano State in exchange for its support for his re-election bid.
The forum’s state chairman, Sa’adu Ibrahim, said members had benefited from welfare programmes introduced by the Federal and Kano State governments. He urged persons with disabilities to participate actively in the elections and support APC candidates at both levels.
Responding, Governor Yusuf reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to disability inclusion. He was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Children and People with Special Needs, Hajiya Amina Sani-Abdullahi.
The governor said his administration had introduced interventions to improve the welfare of persons with disabilities, including providing wheelchairs to people with spinal cord injuries and supporting para-sports activities.
He added that such initiatives were intended to promote mobility, independence, dignity and participation in recreational and competitive sports.
Yusuf stressed that persons with disabilities should not be regarded merely as beneficiaries of government policies but recognised as active contributors to the state’s development.
The forum’s pledge comes amid growing political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, its five-million-vote commitment represents its stated target and not a verified estimate of its membership or voting strength.
