Manny Ita –
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared Friday, February 20, 2026, a work-free day across Abuja to enable residents prepare for and participate in the forthcoming Area Council elections scheduled for Saturday.
The announcement was made during a special broadcast on national television and radio on Thursday, with the minister stating that the measure received the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The directive is intended to allow workers and voters to travel to their respective communities within the territory ahead of the polls.
In addition to the public holiday, the FCT Administration imposed a total restriction on human and vehicular movement across the territory beginning at 8:00 p.m. on Friday and lasting until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, the day of the elections. Security agencies have been instructed to enforce the order strictly to guarantee safety and orderly conduct of the vote.
Wike described the elections as a crucial democratic exercise that will determine the leadership of the six Area Councils — Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Abaji, and Kwali — where voters will elect chairmen and councillors. He urged residents to participate peacefully and responsibly, emphasizing that the outcome would shape governance and development at the grassroots level.
According to the minister, the work-free day is specifically meant to ease logistical challenges and encourage voter turnout, particularly for residents who may need to travel from the city centre to suburban or rural council areas.
He also appealed to residents to respect electoral rules, maintain law and order, and demonstrate political maturity throughout the exercise. Authorities say the movement ban is a preventive security measure commonly used during elections to curb violence, vote-buying, and other disruptions.
The Area Council elections are regarded as one of the most significant local government polls in the Federal Capital Territory, determining leadership responsible for grassroots administration, infrastructure, and community services in Nigeria’s capital.
