The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised the alarm over what it described as a premature declaration of a curfew in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of Saturday’s area council elections, warning that the move could suppress voter turnout.
In a statement on Friday, the opposition party said any restriction of movement before election day would discourage residents from travelling, mobilising supporters and preparing to vote, thereby undermining participation in the polls. The ADC described the development as suspicious and inconsistent with democratic norms.
While acknowledging that movement restrictions during voting hours are a common security measure during elections in Nigeria, the party argued that extending such measures to the day before the exercise crossed the line from legitimate security planning to political interference.
The allegation comes amid heightened political tension ahead of the FCT council elections, with opposition parties expressing fears of intimidation and administrative pressure in the run-up to the vote.
Security agencies in the FCT have indicated plans to enforce movement restrictions on election day to maintain order and prevent electoral offences, a practice routinely adopted across the country during major polls. However, there has been no official confirmation of a territory-wide curfew taking effect before Saturday.
At the national level, President Bola Tinubu has called for peaceful conduct during elections and urged security agencies to avoid actions capable of disenfranchising voters.
As of press time, FCT authorities had not issued a formal response to the ADC’s allegation.
Abuja Network News
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