A visually impaired couple, John and Janet Paul, have found themselves at the center of public support after reportedly being asked to leave their rented apartment in Abuja due to their disabilities.
During an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday, the couple alleged that their landlady, who moved into the compound in 2024, issued them a quit notice after realizing they were blind, despite having lived in the house peacefully for years.
John shared their ordeal, stating, “Things have been very difficult for us. Our landlady has been pressuring us to leave her house, and she has been saying all sorts of things to us. We got the house through an agent and lived here peacefully until she moved in last year. Since then, she has been making it clear that she doesn’t want to live with blind people.”
He further clarified that they were not being evicted due to unpaid rent. “No, we are not owing her. She served us a quit notice last month, saying she wanted to renovate the house. However, finding another place to stay will cost us a lot of money, which we cannot afford.”
Following their story, many Nigerians took to social media to express outrage and offer support.
A Facebook user, Temitope Abiola, called on PUNCH Newspaper to initiate a crowdfunding campaign for the couple, writing, “Punch Newspaper, please let us do a GoFundMe for this family. They need help. To the landlady, please note God is the landlord of us all. It is nothing if you allow them to live in your apartment for free. This is your worship to God Almighty, not when you go to church and shout hallelujah 100 times.”
Similarly, Samuel Zacheus condemned the discrimination they faced, saying, “Their story is so touching. Discrimination against people living with disabilities should be eschewed in every form. Punch, kindly provide their account details; good-spirited people will rise to their help.”
Another supporter, Stlivingstone Ekanem, expressed his willingness to help if they were closer to him. “I wish they were in Jos; I would have given them a free apartment in my estate. However, PUNCH Newspapers should work out an arrangement for us who wish to support them. Blindness is not a crime, and nobody wishes to be blind. Be kind to them.”
For those willing to assist John and Janet Paul, donations can be sent to their Access Bank account: 1466494501, John Paul.
