“Choose Compassionate Leaders,” Iyabo Obasanjo Tells Persons With Disabilities

Former Senator and prominent Ogun Central political figure, Senator Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, has urged Persons Living With Disabilities to prioritize leaders with empathy as political campaigns begin across the country.

At an engagement with over 250 members of the People Living With Disabilities Political Forum drawn from the six local government areas of Ogun Central Senatorial District — Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Odeda, Ifo, Obafemi-Owode and Ewekoro — Obasanjo pledged to make the welfare, inclusion and economic empowerment of PLWDs a central focus of her political work.

The meeting provided a platform for the politician to connect with a constituency whose long-standing demands include inclusion, education, vocational training, employment and protection from discrimination.

Addressing the gathering, the former senator said she does not view persons living with disabilities as politically insignificant or relevant only during elections. She traced her compassion to her years at Queen’s College, Lagos, where students with disabilities were admitted and competed alongside others.

That experience, she said, shaped her worldview and taught her that disability should not be a basis for exclusion or denial of opportunities.

“I believe your category of people needs more attention than many other Nigerians,” Obasanjo said. She noted that leadership must deliberately create opportunities for vulnerable and disadvantaged members of society.

The professor of Epidemiology identified unemployment as one of the most pressing threats facing Nigerians, including persons with disabilities. She warned that failure by government and political leaders to create productive opportunities for young people and other employable citizens could have grave consequences.

Obasanjo stressed that PLWDs should not be remembered only through occasional donations or charity. According to her, real empowerment must come through access to education, skills acquisition and, most importantly, gainful employment.

“I will leverage upon my extensive network to facilitate jobs and in particular work assiduously with other lawmakers at the upper legislative house to fine-tune all relevant laws having to do with physically challenged persons,” she assured the forum.

The pledge resonated with members who complained that despite having skills and qualifications, many persons with disabilities still face barriers in accessing employment.

Obasanjo also urged the forum to be discerning in their political choices. She warned against what she described as “charlatan political leaders” who make promises without compassion or commitment.

“There is an imperative for you all to separate charlatan political leaders from real leaders—leaders who are merciful and compassionate with the masses and the less privileged. This is exactly why I have thrown my hat into the ring,” she said.

She reminded the audience that life is unpredictable. “Nobody knows tomorrow,” she said, urging them not to lose hope or surrender to rejection because of their physical conditions. She assured them that their Creator had not forgotten them and criticized leaders who exploit vulnerable people for political gain but abandon them after elections.

Earlier, leader of the association, Mrs. Ileyemi Olayinka, painted a sobering picture of exclusion in Ogun Central. She lamented that persons living with disabilities have been underrated and schemed out of opportunities despite being productive.

“We disabled people, particularly in Ogun Central, are really cheated and disadvantaged in the scheme of things,” Olayinka said. “They underrate us and scheme us out. We are not just useless people.”

She said many PLWDs do not want to resort to street begging but want equal opportunities. “We don’t want to go and become street beggars. We are part of the society and government should recognise us as such,” she added.

Olayinka also highlighted the lack of educational and vocational support. She said many members love education but lack financial resources and institutional backing, and called for specialized vocational centres to help persons with disabilities acquire skills and become self-reliant.