Breaking: Wike Declares Work-Free Day in Abuja, Gives Reason
- or anFCT Minister Nyesom Wike has declared February 20 a work-free day for Area Council elections
- Movement was restricted from 8 pm Friday to 6 pm Saturday for electoral participation
- Social media reactions reflected mixed responses to the election timing and government decisions
The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has declared Friday, February 20, a work-free day and imposed a movement restriction across the territory from 8 pm on Friday to 6 pm on Saturday, February 21, to facilitate a free and fair Area Council election in the Nigerian capital.
The announcements were made in a special broadcast aired on national television and radio stations on Thursday, February 19. Wike, with the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said the measures were to enable residents to travel to their communities and participate fully in the elections for chairmen and councillors in the six area councils.
Source: Twitter
He urged FCT residents to turn out in large numbers to vote, emphasising the need for orderly and peaceful conduct.
Lawyer speaks on FCT council poll
Speaking ahead of the election, Oladotun Hassan, who spoke exclusively with Legit.ng, extolled the importance of the area council polls, particularly for the indigenous people of Abuja.
"The development of the FCT is a collective responsibility. Whether you are of a different political party should not matter. But what matters is that the federal capital territory is ensuring that the villages and the people are being protected, their lands are being represented as indigenous people in the FCT in government."
Reactions as Wike declares public holiday
The announcement has started generating reactions from Nigerians on social media. Below are some of their reactions:
Sule wondered why ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar is not condemning the election happening during Ramadan:
"No one condemned this election, and it is happening during Ramadan and Lenten, but the only problem for @atiku is president election."
Emiyarey John praised the minister:
"Chief Barr. Ezenwo Wike, the enigmatic politician in Nigeria. The only politician in Nigeria who created his own unofficial political party, the PDP-APC and was recognised by INEC, the only dominant party in Rivers State. Bravo!"
RogueCurrent condemned the announcement:
"Imagine arriving in Nigeria on Saturday after a long flight, only to find out about a movement restriction that means you have to spend the entire day stuck at the airport."
Source: Twitter
Issa Sodiq lshola also criticised the government's action:
"Movement restrictions to scare people from coming out in mass. Using the security to threaten people. We are watching, the world is watching."
Legend commended the government:
"Big move by the FCT government! Declaring a work-free day and restricting movement shows they’re serious about giving residents time to participate in the Area Council elections. Let’s all vote peacefully and responsibly. Our communities depend on it. If you want, I can also craft a shorter, punchy version perfect for social media."
Read the full statement on X here:
Wike taunts Amaechi
Legit.ng earlier reported that Nyesom Wike tackled the former Minister of Transportation and ex-governor of Rivers, Rotimi Amaechi, over the recent protest of the opposition leader, in which the latter was one of them, against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu.
Wike, who succeeded Amaechi as the governor of Rivers state, was seen in a viral video, where he lampooned the former minister for claiming to have visited the protest ground with his son, who is a medical doctor. The FCT minister maintained that the medical doctor was at the protest ground without any medical equipment or an ambulance.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
