Two major disability rights groups have issued an urgent appeal to Governor Dapo Abiodun to fully operationalise the Ogun State Disability Law before his tenure concludes in eight months.

The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) and the Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria (SCIAN) made the call on Wednesday during a joint press briefing at the NUJ Press Centre in Abeokuta. The groups lamented that despite the law being signed into effect nearly nine years ago by former Governor Ibikunle Amosun on December 27, 2017, it has yet to translate into functioning institutions or enforceable protections.

The groups emphasized that conversations surrounding potential amendments should not stall the current law. They argued that the government can implement the existing legal framework while pursuing legislative updates simultaneously.

Leaders noted that the failure to enforce the law heavily disadvantages an estimated 1,032,221 persons living with disabilities in Ogun State, restricting their access to healthcare, education, transportation, employment, and political spaces.

SCIAN National President Abdulwahab Matepo highlighted that since 2025, the community has engaged in countless consultations, courtesy visits, and media advocacy with zero concrete results.

"A law passed to protect the rights of persons with disabilities must not remain a law on paper. It must become a law in action. We have demonstrated patience... The next step should now be action."— Abdulwahab Matepo, SCIAN National President

With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, JONAPWD Ogun State Chairman Ayo Awobona expanded the advocacy to political stakeholders. He demanded that all political parties and governorship candidates publicly commit to disability inclusion in their governance agendas. Furthermore, Awobona called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to guarantee accessible polling units, tailored voting materials, and proper assistance for PWDs in the upcoming polls.

The coalition reaffirmed that their campaign is entirely non-partisan and aimed at collaborative progress, calling on Governor Abiodun to provide the swift political direction needed to leave a lasting legacy for the disability community.