Restriction On Election Day In FCT Is Illegal -Abati

Public affairs analyst and journalist, Dr. Reuben Abati, has stated that it was unlawful for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to order restriction of movement on Saturday, February 21. 

During an appearance on The Morning Show, a program on Arise TV, Abati asserted that neither the President nor the Minister possesses the authority to impose restrictions during elections. 

According to Abati, the responsibility to impose such restrictions during elections in the country falls under the jurisdiction of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). 

Wike had announced in a broadcast that the restriction was declared fby him ollowing the instructions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

Abati also expressed his bewilderment at Wike’s decision to disregard his own directive by moving about the various areas of the FCT during the council elections. 

He contended that Wike had no entitlement to traverse the FCT during the elections, when he was not even a registered voter in Abuja.

The restriction contributed to the disenfranchisement of certain voters who were unable to travel from one area of the Federal Territory to another to exercise their voting rights.

Additionally, reports indicated that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) played a role in the low voter turnout during the polls due to the late arrival of election materials and personnel in some areas of the Federal Territory. 

Furthermore, the INEC failed to inform some voters of changes to their polling units until 11:00 a.m. on the day of the election.