FCT Poll: Falana Queries Wike’s Power to Declare Public Holiday

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has challenged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to publicly cite any law empowering him to declare a public holiday or impose movement restrictions during the recently concluded FCT area council election.

Falana insisted that the minister acted outside the law, arguing that the authority to declare public holidays in Nigeria does not reside with the FCT minister. According to him, only the President, the Minister of Interior, and state governors are legally authorised to announce federal or state holidays.

The senior lawyer criticised the declaration of a work-free day ahead of the election, saying it amounted to an abuse of executive power and a dangerous precedent capable of undermining constitutional governance.

Wike had earlier defended his decision, claiming he acted with the consent of the President after receiving a security report suggesting that some individuals planned to transport troublemakers into the Federal Capital Territory to disrupt the polls. He also cautioned Falana against commenting on every national issue without verifying facts.

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However, Falana, in a statement issued on Monday, dismissed the minister’s justification, stressing that even the President lacks the constitutional power to issue directives concerning the conduct of elections.

“The minister’s defence that the President authorised him to order the restriction of movement is illegal, as the President has no power whatsoever to direct how elections are conducted in Nigeria,” Falana said.

He referenced Section 160(1) of the Constitution, which guarantees the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), noting that the commission’s powers to regulate elections are not subject to presidential or ministerial control.

Falana further questioned Wike’s conduct on election day, pointing out that the minister is not a registered voter in the FCT and should therefore have strictly complied with the restriction order he announced.

“I challenge the FCT Minister to refer to any law that empowers him to declare a public holiday or restrict the movement of citizens during the Area Council election,” Falana said.

“Assuming, without conceding, that the President authorised movement restriction, did that authorisation include declaring a public holiday? Did the minister himself comply with the restriction order? Did it permit him to move around or interfere with electoral officers?”

The dispute has reignited national debate over ministerial powers in the FCT, election-day movement restrictions, and the need to protect INEC’s independence from executive interference.

Legal observers say the controversy highlights the importance of strict adherence to constitutional provisions to preserve public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

FCT Poll: Falana Queries Wike’s Power to Declare Public Holiday

Fare Hike Hits Lagos BRT Riders

The Lagos State Government has approved a 13 per cent increase in fares across all Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) schemes, covering Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors and standard bus routes.

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) announced the decision in a statement on Monday, stating that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu granted approval following appeals from regulated public transport operators over the rising cost of operations.

According to the agency, the new fare structure will take effect from Monday, March 2, 2026.

LAMATA explained that the adjustment was necessary to sustain public transport services amid mounting economic pressures.

The review, it noted, aligns with the state’s previously approved annual fare review framework.

“The urgency of the review is underscored by persistent inflationary trends, with Nigeria’s inflation rate closing 2025 at 15.2 per cent, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics,” the statement signed by LAMATA’s Head of Corporate Communications, Kolawole Ojelabi, said.

The agency disclosed that Bus Operating Companies (BOCs) have been grappling with escalating operational expenses, including higher costs of vehicle maintenance, spare parts, fuel, and staff salaries — particularly following the implementation of the new national minimum wage.

It added that operators are also investing in newer, cleaner and more fuel-efficient buses to improve passenger comfort and promote environmental sustainability.

While acknowledging the burden on commuters, the state government reaffirmed its commitment to striking a balance between affordability and the need to maintain safe, reliable and efficient public transportation across Lagos.

Updated: Plateau Under Siege: 10 Killed in Coordinated Bandit Raids

Fresh violence rocked Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday night, leaving at least 10 people dead in coordinated attacks on Jol and Dorowa Babuje (Rob District) communities. Local leaders confirmed the assaults occurred between 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm, sparking fear and outrage among residents.

The National President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYMA), Barrister Solomon Dalyop, told reporters that nine people were killed in Dorowa Babuje, while one person died in Jol. He said the attackers arrived on motorcycles from the Manga axis in Jol, despite prior warnings to security agencies about suspicious movements.

Operation Rainbow, Plateau State’s specialized security outfit, was already deployed in Jol and successfully repelled the attackers, helping to limit casualties. In Dorowa Babuje, the assailants were reported to have emerged from the Jong-Wereh area, where they had allegedly been camping for some time. Dalyop praised the swift intervention of the military, which prevented the death toll from rising further.

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Efforts to obtain an official statement from the Plateau State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the Public Relations Officer, Alfred Alabo, did not respond to calls. The Nigeria Police is yet to issue a formal comment on the attacks.

The attacks come amid a disturbing pattern of insecurity in Riyom and surrounding areas, which have recently experienced repeated night raids, ambushes, and community displacement. Residents are now demanding a sustained security presence and long-term peacebuilding measures to prevent further bloodshed.

In the aftermath, youths and community leaders blocked major highways leading to Jos on Monday, protesting the killings and urging authorities to apprehend the perpetrators. Demonstrators warned that they would not clear the roads until action is taken to secure their communities.

The latest violence underscores the urgent need for enhanced security strategies, intelligence-driven policing, and federal-state collaboration to protect residents in Plateau State’s most vulnerable communities.

Updated: Plateau Under Siege: 10 Killed in Coordinated Bandit Raids