The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) witnessed widespread defiance on Saturday as residents, particularly the youth, ignored a movement restriction order issued by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, during the ongoing Area Council elections.
In a bid to regulate the conduct of the polls, Minister Wike had previously announced a stringent curfew across the FCT and its constituent Area Councils. However, reports from across the territory suggest that the directive was largely disregarded in favour of recreational activities.
Across various districts, including Lugbe, Gwarinpa, Gwagwalada, and Kuje, as well as along the Airport Road, large groups of youths were observed playing football on deserted streets rather than participating in the electoral process.
The atmosphere in these locales was described as indifferent to the polls, with the “stay-at-home” order effectively serving as an impromptu public holiday for leisure. Furthermore, taxi operators in the city’s outskirts were seen flouting the curfew, continuing their commercial activities despite the official ban on vehicular movement.
The restriction has sparked a sharp rebuke from Senator Ireti Kingibe, the representative for the FCT, who characterised the Minister’s directive as “executive overreach.”
In a statement issued by her Special Assistant on Media, Matilda Duncan, Senator Kingibe condemned the curfew as an affront to democratic governance and the constitutional liberties of the populace.
“The people of the FCT are not subjects under a dictatorship; they are citizens of a democratic republic,” the Senator remarked. “Any sweeping restriction on their movement and livelihoods must be justified by compelling evidence, subjected to scrutiny, and carried out with transparency.”
While acknowledging the necessity of maintaining law and order during the election period, Senator Kingibe maintained that security concerns must not be used as a “blanket justification” for infringing upon the rights of residents.
The standoff between the FCT Minister and the Senator highlights a growing friction regarding the administration of the capital. As the polls close, the low turnout indicated by the morning’s recreational activities suggests a significant disconnect between the electorate and the local political process.
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