Kenyan Senator Crystal Asige has urged Nigeria to amend its constitution to ensure parliamentary representation for people with disabilities (PWDs), arguing that only those who experience such challenges firsthand can effectively advocate for their rights.
Speaking ahead of the Haske Satumari Foundation Annual Colloquium 2025, taking place this Saturday, Asige emphasised the importance of inclusive governance.
The event is scheduled to be held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, where the Senator will honour philanthropist Kudla Satumari Haske for his contributions to social development.
With the theme “Promoting Social Change and Development through Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice,” the colloquium will be chaired by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, with Asige delivering the keynote address.
Other notable speakers include Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, BudgIT CEO Oluseun Onigbinde, and Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who will serve as the chief host.
Asige, who occupies one of Kenya’s designated Senate seats for PWDs, argued that representation in legislative bodies is crucial for meaningful advocacy.
“In the past, we have had non-disabled parliamentarians speaking on our issues, trying to legislate for us, but they are not persons with disabilities,” she stated.
“I could not stand here and say I am going to solve the problems of men in Africa—I am not a man. The person wearing the shoe should be the one feeling the pain.”
Citing statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), Asige highlighted that approximately 15 per cent of any country’s population lives with disabilities.
In Nigeria, with an estimated 230 million people, this equates to over 15 million individuals with disabilities whose voices are not heard in Parliament.
“If 15 million people with disabilities have the right to vote, shouldn’t they also have representation in Parliament? That is a significant voting bloc,” she remarked.
She explained that Kenya’s constitution mandates the inclusion of both male and female representatives for PWDs in the Senate, stating that Nigeria could also have such representation if the constitution were amended.
“My counterpart from the ruling party is a gentleman with clubfoot. This is something every parliament and jurisdiction should move towards,” she noted.
Asige urged Nigerian lawmakers to consider constitutional amendments or alternative legislative measures to enhance disability representation.
“In Kenya, constitutional amendments require a referendum. However, we have subsidiary laws such as the Persons with Disabilities Bill, which I am currently sponsoring. Perhaps Nigeria could explore similar reforms through its own disability or political party laws,” she suggested.
She also underscored the political and economic implications of exclusion, arguing that ignoring the disability community means leaving millions of votes untapped.
“You cannot ignore such a large minority group. Politicians who focus on this constituency stand to gain significantly,” she added.
Addressing issues of gender equity, Asige expressed her support for Nigerian Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has alleged sexual harassment.
“I think more people should stand behind her, especially as there is merit to the case she has presented,” Asige remarked.
“The fight for greater political space and equity, despite the harassment faced by women like Senator Natasha, must continue.”
Beyond governance, Asige highlighted the economic importance of diversity and inclusion.
“Exclusion costs Africa billions. Statistics show that the Global South loses up to 10 per cent of its annual GDP due to a lack of inclusion,” she stated.
“This affects sectors such as transport, healthcare, education, and employment. The more non-inclusive we are, the more we lose,” she concluded.
