JUST IN: ADC raises alarm over voter suppression move ahead of FCT Council polls

The leadership of the African Democratic Party (ADC) on Friday expressed concerns over what it described as an attempt to suppress voters ahead of Saturday’s Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary of the party in a statement described the government’s declaration of “premature curfew in Abuja” on the eve of the poll.

According to the party, the government’s decision to impose restrictions on movement a day before the election is a blatant move to suppress voter turnout.

Abdullahi alleged that the declaration was made by the government after it realised that it stood no chance in the election.

He said, “While some restrictions on movements on election day may be justified, the conventional practice is for such restrictions to commence at midnight on election day.

“We are therefore concerned by the decision of the FCT Minister,  Nyesom Wike to impose a curfew on the FCT from 8pm on Friday.  The ADC will therefore like to register our strong objections to these premature restrictions on movement,” Abdullahi stated.

He also warned that elections must be conducted in an atmosphere that is not only safe but also visibly free and open to all eligible voters.

He also said that residents of the FCT must be able to travel safely to their polling units, remain there until the voting process is concluded, and return home without fear of harassment, obstruction, or arbitrary restriction of movement.