Adamawa House of Assembly yesterday gave vent to inclusiveness in governance by returning unopposed a physically challenged lawmaker and member representing Hong state constituency on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Batiya Wesley, as Speaker of the 7th Assembly.
Barthiya becomes the first physically challenged person to be elected leader of a legislature, a key fulcrum of government.
Though he was not born with a disability, Barthiya survived a crash earlier in life that left him with one of his arms amputated.
Consequently, Persons with Disability (PWDs) trooped into the streets of Yola, the capital city, to celebrate the feat. Wesley was rated best performing lawmaker in the 25-member legislature during the 6th Assembly, forcing the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and other PDP members not to vie for the speakership.
Speaking after his election, the new Speaker assured colleagues that his leadership would promote positive changes and democracy. He reminded all that politics has ended and it is time to serve the citizens and assist Governor Ahmadu Fintiri to provide more people-oriented projects.
Wesley, who urged the people to unite with the current administration for more democracy dividends, pointed out that insecurity and poverty have no political party.
The member representing Jada/Mbulo constituency, Buba Mohammed, emerged deputy Speaker.
Adamawa seventh Assembly sets agenda for its operation
The UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities in its 61st session of the General assembly by resolution A/RES/61/106 states the criteria that establish disability
It says persons with disabilities include those who have long term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments, which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.
The election, therefore, of Barthiya as Speaker of a key strata of government at the sub-national level represents a major milestone for a category of persons demanding inclusion and protection through the promulgation of various instruments of the law to enable them to enjoy full equality under the law.
Hon. Barthiya, a second term lawmaker elected under the Peoples Democratic Party, takes over as Speaker of the 8th Assembly from Hon. Aminu Iya-Abass following his elevation as Senator representing Adamawa Central Zone in the National Assembly.
Barthiya, who was elected in 2019, emerged as one of the youngest lawmakers ever elected into the state legislature in his late 30s and made his mark through exceptional representation and unmatched constituency project delivery for his Hong Constituency, a feat that was rewarded with massive margin of wins for the PDP in the 2023 general elections.
The Guardian
