By Prosper Mene
Senator Ireti Kingibe, the representative of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the National Assembly, has sharply criticized FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over the imposition of a curfew and movement restrictions ahead of Saturday’s area council elections.
In a special broadcast on national television and radio stations on Thursday, Minister Wike declared Friday a work-free day across the FCT to facilitate preparations for the polls. He further announced severe restrictions on human and vehicular movement from 8 p.m. on Friday until 6 p.m. on Saturday, effectively creating a roughly 22-hour lockdown in the nation’s capital.
Reacting swiftly, Senator Kingibe, in a statement released on Friday through her Special Assistant on Media, Matilda Duncan, described the measure as “authoritarian, ill-considered, and unacceptable in a democratic society.” She argued that the unilateral decision, made without broad consultation with key stakeholders represents “a direct affront to democratic governance and the constitutional rights of residents.”
The senator emphasized that while maintaining law and order is important, security concerns cannot justify such “executive overreach.” She noted that the FCT has no apparent serious security threats warranting the restriction, pointing out that this is the first time in the capital’s history that such a sweeping curfew has been imposed for a local election.
“People do not understand the reason for this restriction. Many residents have various activities and responsibilities in the evening, and such a curfew unnecessarily limits their freedom in a democratic society,” Kingibe stated. She highlighted the negative impact on small businesses and the broader economy, warning that residents’ rights, freedoms, and economic well-being should not be compromised by arbitrary actions.
Kingibe has called on Minister Wike to immediately review and suspend the curfew, stressing that FCT residents are citizens of a democratic republic, not subjects under authoritarian rule.
The development comes amid preparations for the area council polls, which are seen as a test of electoral readiness ahead of future national exercises. Critics have raised concerns about the measure’s proportionality, while supporters of the minister’s directive argue it aims to ensure peaceful voting.
As the elections approach on Saturday, February 21, 2026, all eyes remain on whether the restrictions will proceed as announced or face further pushback from stakeholders.
