Tinubu Approves Public Holiday, Movement Restriction for FCT Area Council Election

By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka,Abuja

In a bid to ensure effective and credible elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved Friday, February 20, as a public holiday and ordered restriction of movement across the FCT from 8 pm on Friday to 6 pm on Saturday, February 21.

The approval was disclosed by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, through a press statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka. The measure, according to the statement, is designed to guarantee a peaceful and successful conduct of the elections.

1. The statement noted that the restriction of movement is intended to help maintain law and order as well as safeguard citizens and election materials. Security agencies have been directed to enforce strict compliance with the directive.
2. The Area Council elections are slated for Saturday, February 21, with residents of the FCT expected to come out in large numbers to exercise their civic rights. Declaring Friday a public holiday is aimed at allowing residents sufficient time to prepare and fully participate in the electoral process.
   The Office of the FCT Minister advised residents to carry on with their normal activities on Friday but remain indoors during the restricted hours on Saturday, except those engaged in essential services. Residents were also urged to cooperate with security agencies to ensure a peaceful voting exercise.
   The movement restriction is likely to impact traffic flow and commercial operations within the FCT, and residents have been advised to make adequate arrangements. Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has put necessary measures in place to ensure a smooth and transparent election process.