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Disabled Niger Deltans shut NASS

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Some disabled from Niger Delta under the aegis of Great Mind Foundation of People with Disabilities on Thursday stormed the National Assembly over alleged abandonment by lawmakers from the region.

The protesters mainly youths, blocked visitors and lawmakers from gaining access to the national Assembly complex to vent their anger over the alleged shoddy treatment meted to them by lawmakers from the region.

This is as security personnels watched helplessly as the protesters rained invectives on those entrusted with the leadership of the country over their plights.

Mr Emotonghen Azikiwe Femi who spoke to journalists on behalf of others, demanded a monthly stipend of N200,000 for members of his group.

“We are aware of disability Bill. Where is the money? Where is the Bill? They are just saying it with the mouth. Nothing has been done, nothing.

“We blocked here so that every Nigerian would be affected. After here, na end Nigeria protest we are going to do on the road. When EndSARS started Nigerian government ran way. We must start something in this country and all these nonsense will stop.

“Where is the commission, dem carry able man put as chairman of person with disability. Dem dey craze. If they cannot pay all the disabled in Nigeria, they would not have peace. From next year 2021, they will see the hell in us”, he threatened.

When reminded that government may not be able to cough out N200,000 for each of his members, he retorted: “No money? They are liars, government are thieves. Na lie, they are hoodlums, they are armed robbers, they are the highest criminals in Nigeria.

“We have the right to sue senators to court for not taking care of persons with Disabilities”.

Asked why they didn’t channel their demands through petitions to the leadership of both Chambers or the affected lawmakers , he said previous efforts have been made by them to register their grievances without any results.

His words: “On Monday we were here and the Senate President intervened and asked the Senators to meet us on Tuesday. But they failed to meet us as agreed.

“Today, we came here and instead of meeting us, the security men maltreated us as if we are not human beings and citizens of this country.

“These are people that get money on our behalf and refuse to do anything. They don’t make laws to protect us, they only make laws to protect their interests.

“They must start paying us monthly stipends and declare a national day for us.”

Deputy Whip of the Senate, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, who led other lawmakers to meet the protesters, appealed for calm promising that their grievances will be addressed.

He asked the protesters to delegate a five-man team to meet the National Assembly leaders.

The atmosphere became charged when the protesters pounced on a member of the Sergeant-at-Arm for interrupting them.

One of the PWD pointed him as the one instigated the policemen to fire tear gas at them. His clothes were torn into shreds before he was rescued by the policemen.

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