By Ayodele Oni
The Nigeria Association of the Blind (Ondo State Chapter) has kicked against the appointment of a chairman for the state Agency for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities.
In a petition addressed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and signed by the State Chairman, Akinle Ojo, and Secretary, Evang Idowu Oluwasola, the association alleged that the process being championed by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development was in violation of the agency’s establishment law and the agreed spirit of fairness among disability clusters in the state.
The association pointed out that it had earlier presented Wale Akintade, a physically challenged candidate, as its preferred nominee for the position. However, it expressed disappointment that the Commissioner allegedly sidelined the candidate and instead pushed forward another individual, said to be from a different disability cluster.
According to the petition, the board chairmanship position is expected to follow the principle of rotation among disability groups, with the visually impaired community next in line after the hearing-impaired cluster.
The group argued that this arrangement had been mutually respected over the years and should not be altered for political or personal considerations.
The association further recalled a stakeholders’ meeting held in March, where cluster heads were reportedly informed that the Governor would appoint the chairman in line with the agency’s enabling law.
It, however, alleged that another meeting was later convened on April 8, 2026, where pressure was mounted on cluster heads to alter the earlier understanding.
The Nigeria Association of the Blind warned that any deviation from the established rotational arrangement could undermine trust within the disability community and erode confidence in the state government’s commitment to inclusiveness and justice.
The group therefore called on Governor Aiyedatiwa to uphold the law, respect the rotational principle, and ensure that the next board chairman emerges from the visually impaired cluster as expected.
It appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to urgently intervene in what it described as the unlawful appointment process of the Board Chairman of the Ondo State
It expressed confidence in the Governor’s sense of fairness and commitment to due process, urging him to take prompt action in order to preserve harmony within the disability community in Ondo State.
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