A human rights activist, Omotayo Williams, has lambasted former Governor of Ogun State Gbenga Daniel after the Nigerian government took action against the KFC outlet at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos for denying his physically challenged son, Debola entry because he was in a wheelchair.
SaharaReporters had reported that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on Thursday ordered the immediate closure of the KFC outlet at the MMIA in Lagos due to the discriminatory allegation made against its officials by the former governor’s son.
Daniel is the senator representing Ogun East since 2023.
In a series of posts made on his X handle, Debola on Wednesday alleged that he was not granted access to the facility because of his disability.
SaharaReporters also reported that KFC tendered a public apology to the former governor’s son, saying that it had embarked on efforts to address the situation and that the incident was not reflective of its standards.
But reacting to the incident on X, the human rights activist, Williams said that he had no sympathy for the former governor’s son, his father and his family.
FORMER 8 YEAR GOVERNOR AND CURRENT SENATOR, GBENGA DANIELS DISABLED SON DENIED ENTRY TO KFC, DUE TO WHEEL CHAIR POLICY
I have no sympathy for Gbenga Daniel’s son, his father, and their family in this situation.
Gbenga Daniel served as governor for 8 years and is currently…
— Omotayo Williams (@KadunaResident) March 28, 2024
He reminded Daniel that throughout his eight years as Ogun State governor, and currently as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he did nothing to put in place policies to protect people living with disabilities, despite having a son in a wheelchair.
The activist noted that KFC had been there for years, with the same policies against people living with disabilities. He questioned why this had not been addressed until the former governor’s son became a victim.
Williams said, “I have no sympathy for Gbenga Daniel’s son, his father, and their family in this situation.
“Gbenga Daniel served as governor for 8 years and is currently a senator. What policies did Gbenga Daniel pass during his tenure as governor to protect the rights of people living with disabilities, despite having a son with a disability?
“As a current senator, what bill has he sponsored relating to this? He has seemingly prioritized protecting only his son for years, and sending him to the best schools, while disabled Nigerians suffer. However, sometimes society holds you accountable and teaches you a lesson.
“KFC has been there for years, with the same policies against people with disabilities. Why has this not been addressed? Is it because the son of a politician is now involved?
“They should take responsibility and address the situation themselves. We cannot run a country like this and expect progress.
“He is a senator; I hope this triggers him to push for a bill to protect the rights of people with disabilities.”