The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Ireti Kingibe, has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to immediately review and suspend the movement restriction imposed ahead of the FCT Area Council elections.
In a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Matilda Duncan, on Friday, Senator Kingibe strongly condemned what she described as the unilateral imposition of a curfew, characterising the minister’s action as “authoritarian, ill-considered, and unacceptable in a democratic society.”
The Senator stated unequivocally that the decision to impose a curfew across the Federal Capital Territory, without broad consultation with critical stakeholders, is a direct affront to democratic governance and the constitutional rights of residents.
“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.
While acknowledging the importance of maintaining law and order, Kingibe emphasised that security concerns cannot serve as a blanket justification for “executive overreach”.
She stressed that the curfew, as announced, risks inflicting severe economic hardship on small businesses, workers, and families who rely on daily income for survival, as well as international visitors.
Senator Kingibe argued that there are no security breaches in the FCT that warrant the imposition of a curfew.
“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 Senator reminded the Minister that he is not the first administrator of the FCT and that elections have been conducted in the territory before without such sweeping restrictions.
“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.
Senator Kingibe called on the Minister to immediately review and suspend the curfew.
“The rights, freedoms, and economic well-being of the people of the FCT must never be compromised by arbitrary, authoritarian and draconian executive action.”
On Thursday, Wike declared Friday a work-free day in a special broadcast on national television and radio stations, announcing a restriction of human and vehicular movement in the FCT from 8pm on Friday to 6pm on Saturday in preparation for the FCT Area Council elections scheduled for Saturday.
The FCT Area Council elections will see voters elect six chairmen and 62 councillors across 68 constituencies.