The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe, has appealed to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to reconsider and halt the movement restrictions announced in advance of the forthcoming Local Government elections in the territory.
Wike had on Thursday declared Friday a public holiday and imposed a restriction on movement from 8 pm on Friday until 6 pm on Saturday as part of measures preceding the FCT Area Council elections scheduled for Saturday.
In a statement released by her Special Assistant on Media, Matilda Duncan, Senator Kingibe criticised the decision, describing the unilateral declaration of a curfew as “authoritarian, ill-considered, and unacceptable in a democratic society.”
The lawmaker stated firmly that enforcing a territory-wide curfew without engaging key stakeholders undermines democratic principles and infringes on the constitutional rights of residents of the Federal Capital Territory.
“The people of the FCT are not subjects under a dictatorship. They are citizens of a democratic republic. Any sweeping restriction on their movement and livelihoods must be justified by compelling evidence, subjected to scrutiny, and carried out with transparency,” she said.
Although she acknowledged the necessity of preserving peace and public order, Kingibe maintained that security considerations should not be used as a blanket excuse for what she termed executive excesses.
She warned that the restriction, as announced, could cause significant economic disruption, particularly for small-scale business owners, daily wage earners and families whose livelihoods depend on daily income. She also pointed to the potential inconvenience to foreign visitors expected in the territory.
“ECOWAS Parliamentarians will be arriving for a planned 10-day extraordinary meeting starting on Sunday, Set Weddings and receptions, Planned Functions, Marked Events and Embassies.
“Curfews are only warranted when there are SERIOUS security breaches, and there are NONE. This is only just Area Council (LG) Elections.
“Decisions of this magnitude cannot be taken without cause, consultation with stakeholders, and due process.
“The Minister should please remember that he is not the first to administer this territory and this is not the first election taking place here,” she said.
Kingibe subsequently called on the minister to immediately reassess and suspend the curfew order.
“The rights, freedoms, and economic well-being of the people of the FCT must never be compromised by arbitrary, authoritarian and draconian executive action.”
What You Should Know
The FCT Minister declared Friday a work-free day and imposed movement restrictions from Friday night to Saturday evening ahead of the Area Council elections.
Senator Ireti Kingibe has criticised the decision, describing it as excessive and undemocratic, and has urged its immediate suspension.
She argues that there are no serious security threats justifying such measures and warns of economic and diplomatic disruptions.
