Ogun JONAPWD Pledges Unity, INEC Partnership to Strengthen Disability Inclusion Ahead of 2027 Elections.

Ogun JONAPWD Pledges Unity, INEC Partnership to Strengthen Disability Inclusion Ahead of 2027 Elections.

The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) in Ogun State has pledged greater unity among its members and stronger collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

The commitment is aimed at improving the political participation and representation of persons with disabilities while ensuring that electoral processes in the state become more accessible and inclusive.

The association’s position comes amid growing calls for stronger engagement between electoral authorities and disability organisations to address barriers that have historically limited the participation of persons with disabilities in elections. These challenges include inaccessible polling locations, inadequate voter information, limited assistive facilities and insufficient awareness of the specific needs of voters with disabilities.

JONAPWD has maintained that unity within the disability community remains essential to advancing advocacy, strengthening political representation and ensuring that issues affecting persons with disabilities receive greater attention in governance and public policy.

The proposed partnership with INEC is also expected to support voter education, mobilisation and sensitisation efforts ahead of the 2027 elections. Such collaboration could help improve access to electoral information and encourage more persons with disabilities to participate actively as voters, candidates, election officials and observers.

INEC has previously acknowledged the importance of mainstreaming disability inclusion into Nigeria’s electoral process. The Commission has highlighted measures including priority voting arrangements, stakeholder engagement, the use of assistive devices and collaboration with organisations representing persons with disabilities, including JONAPWD.

In Ogun State, INEC has also stated that persons with disabilities, alongside other vulnerable groups, would receive special consideration during the 2027 elections to help ensure that eligible voters are not excluded because of physical conditions or other barriers.

The renewed emphasis on partnership between JONAPWD and INEC reflects a broader push for more inclusive democracy in Nigeria. However, disability advocates continue to stress that effective inclusion must go beyond policy commitments and translate into accessible polling units, trained electoral personnel, reliable voter information and meaningful representation.

As preparations for the 2027 elections gradually intensify, the unity of disability organisations and sustained engagement with electoral authorities could play a significant role in ensuring that persons with disabilities in Ogun State are not only included in the electoral process but are also able to participate fully and independently.