PRESS RELEASE
SENATOR OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY CONDEMNS UNILATERAL CURFEW IMPOSED BY FCT MINISTER
The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Ireti Heebah Kingibe, has strongly condemned the unilateral imposition of a curfew by the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike describing the action as “authoritarian, ill-considered, and unacceptable in a democratic society.”
The Senator states unequivocally that the decision to impose a curfew across the Federal Capital Territory, without broad consultation with critical stakeholders is a direct affront to democratic governance and the constitutional rights of residents.
“The people of the FCT are not subjects under a dictatorship. They are citizens of a democratic republic. Any sweeping restriction on their movement and livelihoods must be justified by compelling evidence, subjected to scrutiny, and carried out with transparency,” the Senator said.
While acknowledging the importance of maintaining law and order, Senator Ireti Kingibe emphasized that security concerns cannot serve as a blanket justification for executive overreach.
The curfew, as announced, risks inflicting severe economic hardship on small businesses, workers, and families who rely on daily income for survival, international visitors, “ ECOWAS Parliamentarians will be arriving for a planned 10 day extraordinary meeting starting on Sunday, Set Weddings and receptions, Planned Functions, Marked Events and Embassies.
Curfews are only warranted when there are SERIOUS security breaches and there are NONE. This is only just Area Council (LG) Elections.
Decisions of this magnitude cannot be taken without cause, consulation with stake holders, and due process.
The Minister should please that he is not first to administer this territory and this not the first election taking place here.
Senator Ireti Kingibe, calls on the Minister to IMMEDIATELY review and SUSPEND the curfew.
The rights, freedoms, and economic wellbeing of the people of the FCT must never be compromised by arbitrary, authoritarian and draconian executive action.
MATILDA DUNCAN
SPECIAL ASSISTANT ON MEDIA
OFFICE OF THE SENATOR,
FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY