FCT Polls: Senator Ireti Kingibe Raises Concerns Over 22-hour Restriction Of Movements

The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, has criticised the arbitrary 22-hour restriction of movements declared by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, ahead of the Area Council elections in Abuja slated for Saturday, February 21.

Wike had ordered restriction of movement from 8pm on Friday to 6pm on Saturday, a development the lawmaker said residents neither understood nor considered necessary in a democratic society.

Speaking on NewsDay programme on Arise News Channel on Friday afternoon, Kingibe said preparations for the polls appeared adequate in terms of security and logistics.

“It’s a question that only the government can answer, but from my observations, I think everything is ready, both security and logistics. Members of the different area councils followed the materials yesterday, so we know the materials have arrived. Everything seems to be on track,” she said.

She, however, expressed concern about the restriction of movement.

“What gives the residents of the FCT great concern right now is the fact that for the first time in the history of FCT, we are all prevented from moving around after 8 o’clock, effectively putting a curfew on us. And we do not understand why it’s never been necessary before.

“Lots of people need to do little bits and pieces, and this is a democracy. There’s no reason to infringe on our democratic rights without compelling reasons.

“Curfews are usually imposed when you have serious security breaches, and there have been none, so we’re a little confused about why this is happening,” Senator Kingibe stated

The senator added that residents viewed the development as excessive.

“This curfew, they don’t understand, they’re confused, and they feel that it is not right, that it is the usual imperial and autocratic way of how they have been administered to date. And that is something I would like the minister to address. It’s a problem for the FCT.”

Responding to questions on safety measures, she noted heavy police deployment across the territory.

“Yes, I mean, hundreds and hundreds of policemen have come out, more than we’ve ever seen in any local government election. That should be enough. If you put them all out on the streets tomorrow, it would look like we’re in a state of war.

“That’s still fine. But why we cannot move around the evening before is what we do not understand.”

On readiness of the electoral body, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Kingibe expressed cautious optimism.

“Well, all I can say is that I hope that INEC is ready for the free, fair elections.

“Oh, FCT is FCT. And we have a lot of observers, embassies, enlightened electorates. So chances are — and that’s the reason that the curfew bothers us — why is it necessary? Maybe there are some nefarious activities that need to take place the evening before, why people cannot be on the streets. But other than that, I think everything is fine, ready for the elections. But we really, really object to that curfew. It’s totally unnecessary and an infringement on our rights.”

Speaking on vote-buying, the senator said voters in AMAC were largely resistant to inducement.

“Usually, if you look at, especially let’s take AMAC, which is my local government, the electorate are mostly civil servants, educated people like me and you, and not very amenable to vote-buying. You may be, if you go to the interior, interior possibly.

“So this local government that has 50% of Abuja’s votes, it has always been difficult to buy their votes, always, in every election. And if you look at the records, it will show that that’s the way it’s always been. Everybody’s prepared, all the parties are all ready.”

On voter participation, Kingibe predicted improved turnout.

“Well, I think it would be fairly true to say that this particular election will see a much larger voter turnout than we usually see, for many, many, many reasons, which I won’t go into now. So that’s the reason why we are all certain that whoever wins, wins. What they do after the results at the polls, that’s a different matter. But manipulating the votes at the polls has always been extremely difficult. Even the other local governments. Local government is very personal to the communities and to the people. So they also stand firm on their choices. But we will see what happen,” Kingibe stated.