Elections: FG orders closure of ports

Tayo Oladipupo, Zion Olalekan

The Federal Government of Nigeria has again ordered the closure of all land borders and seaports ahead of the Presidential and National Assembly elections coming up on Saturday, February 23, 2019.

Similar statement was issued last week before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced postponement of the elections at the nick of the elections.

But in a statement signed by the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mohammad Babandede on Thursday, the directive was given by the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau.

According to the statement, the closure takes effect from 12 noon on Friday to 12:00 noon on Sunday, 24th February 2019.

The Minister said the move was to restrict movements across the borders during the election days.

“Further to the Presidential election taking place on the 23rd of February, 2019, the Honourable Minister of Interior has directed the closure of all Nigerian land borders with effect from 12:00 noon on Friday 22nd February 2019 to 12:00 noon on Sunday 24th February 2019,” the statement read in part.