APC threatens legal action over discriminatory statement by PDP chieftain

The All Progresses Congress (APC) in North East Nigeria, has  threatened legal action against Alhaji Umar Damagum,  Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Part (PDP), North, over discriminatory remarks on People Living With Disabilities (PLWDs).

Muhammad Isa, APC North-East zonal leader, PLWDs, at a news conference on Saturday in Damaturu, said his attention was drawn to a statement credited to Damagum on November 8, at the party’s presidential campaign in Maiduguri, Borno, in which “Damagum  expressly stated in Hausa language, to the effect that if one is given  a choice to elect between disabled persons and none disabled persons, who will the people choose?

“Indeed, we are all offended by the  statement, we all view it as an insult, disrespect and discriminatory against PLWDs,” he said.

According to  him, this contradicts Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act, 2018 and Section 52 of the  Electoral Act and United Convention for the right of Persons with Disabilities.

Isa, therefore,  issued seven days ultimatum to the PDP deputy national chairman, North, to withdraw his utterances and apologize.

He declared, “Therefore, you are given seven days from this date  to retract your statement and tender apologies to all  PLWDs.”

Damagum, had in a statement,  explained that his statement was not targeted at the  PLWDs.

“I want to state categorically here that my statement was just a simple Hausa expression that represents ‘strong and healthy with capacity.

“Alluding to our Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, my statement was not targeted at millions of people living with disabilities in Nigeria or anywhere on this planet.

“Neither did I mean to be insensitive to these special group of people,  whom our party and I as a person,  hold in high esteem.”