The Joint Clusters of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Kano State have formally distanced themselves from a recent publication on KanoTimes.com.ng which alleged that the group criticized the Kano State Government over delays in establishing a Disability Commission.
In a statement on Thursday signed by Abdulrahman Uba Daushe, Chairman of the Spinal Cord Injuries Association and a key figure within the Joint Clusters, the organization described the report as misleading and unfounded.
According to the statement, the KanoTimes article, published on July 30, 2025, misrepresented the position of the PWDs community by suggesting they had condemned the government for its pace on disability-related reforms.
“We did not attend any engagement regarding such a junky, misleading headline from the said newspaper, nor did we make any statement or participate in any engagement criticizing or ‘slamming’ the Kano State government,” the statement read.
The group clarified that the image used in the publication was from a separate event titled “Stakeholders Engagement on Strengthening Inclusive Support Systems for Vulnerable Populations and Persons with Disabilities in Kano State,” held on July 22, 2025.
The Joint Clusters stated they were neither invited to the event nor participated in any official capacity.
While one cluster head was present, it was in a personal capacity, not as a representative of the coalition.
Following the report’s publication, the Joint Clusters said they contacted event organizers and several attendees for clarification.
Many expressed surprise at the report’s claims and disassociated themselves from the purported stance attributed to the PWD community.
Reaffirming their position, the Joint Clusters emphasized their continued commitment to engaging the Kano State Government through constructive dialogue.
“Our organization remains committed to working collaboratively with the government to advocate for the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities,” the statement said.
The Clusters expressed appreciation for the ongoing support received from the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
“We have never been denied His Excellency’s or his cabinet’s approval anytime we submitted PWDs proposals,” the statement added.
The group also urged other disability rights organizations and advocates to adopt constructive approaches and avoid misinformation.
“We recognize the positive impact of the Kano State Government’s initiatives for persons with disabilities and call on all stakeholders to remain focused on collaboration and positive advocacy,” the statement concluded.
