The House of Representatives Committee on Disabilities has invited fast-food restaurant operator, Kentucky Fried Chicken, over the alleged ill-treatment of Mr Adebola Daniel, a person living with disability and son of a former Ogun State governor, Senator Gbenga Daniel.
The chairman of the committee, Bashiru Ayinla, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing House of Representatives correspondents at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
Similarly, the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities said it had also summoned the fast-food restaurant over the matter.
In a series of posts on X on March 27, 2024, Daniel had complained about alleged discrimination against him at the Murtala Muhammed Airport KFC outlet.
He said the manager of the outlet yelled, “No wheelchairs allowed,” as he approached the fast-food restaurant.
“Being disabled often rolls over my spirit, leaving behind a trail of shattered dignity and forgotten humanity. Nowhere more so than in Nigeria,” Daniel lamented on his X page.
He said, “I arrived at the airport as normal for my Virgin Atlantic flight to London. I’m a frequent flyer and I’m extremely familiar with all due processes at Murtala Muhammed Airport. Years ago, after all security and immigration formalities had been completed, I would normally go to the Oasis lounge to wait for my flight.
”For the past three years, the lift to the lounge has been out of service, so I’ve often found solace in other establishments, sometimes lounges, sometimes restaurants such as @kfc @kfcnigeria.”
Daniel stated that as he was about to sit, a lady who was “apparently the manager” called out loudly, “No wheelchairs allowed.”
The incident generated backlash for KFC, making it tender a public apology.
However, speaking on Tuesday, the House of Representatives said it had launched a probe and invited KFC.
The chairman of the House Committee on Disabilities, Ayinla, “We have invited KFC and there will be an investigation which will be based on House rules.
“The discriminatory incident, highlighted by Mr Daniel’s public account, sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in Nigeria.
“Mr Daniel, a wheelchair user, faced humiliation when he was refused entry to the KFC outlet, with the manager stating, ‘No wheelchair allowed.’
“This treatment is unacceptable and goes against the principles of inclusivity and respect and it is a violation of the Disability Act.”
Ayinla said the denial of individuals with disabilities access to public spaces was not only disrespectful “but also undermines ongoing efforts to implement the Disability Act.”
“The case of Mr Adebola Daniel is one in millions of other unreported cases of such abuses and injustices against people with disabilities. This will no longer be tolerated by the governments at all levels. Any establishments within the shores of our country, irrespective of owners’ status, should take note. Enough is enough!” the lawmaker said.
Also, the acting Executive Vice Chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Dr. Adamu Abdullahi, described the alleged action of KFC as unlawful, inhumane, and contrary to the values society holds dear.
Speaking with our correspondent on Tuesday, the Commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mbanefo Michaels, said the NCPWD had summoned the management of the food outlet to an investigation panel.
Michaels said, “Sequel to the recent report of a case of discrimination against a person with disability making waves on social media as well as the society, involving the son of a former governor of Ogun State which occurred on March 27, 2024, the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities has summoned the management of KFC to an investigation panel of inquiry to critically address the issues.
“The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons With Disabilities, Dr. James Lalu, has directed that a panel be constituted to unravel the circumstances leading to the case of discrimination as well as examine the actions taken so far to forestall a similar occurrence in the future. The panel will sit on April 4 in Abuja.”
