Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris has declared Friday, August 30, as a public holiday for civil servants in the state. The move is aimed at allowing the people of the state to prepare for the local government election scheduled for Saturday, August 31.
According to a statement by the Commissioner for Establishment, Pension, and Training, Auwal Manu-Dogondaji, the public holiday will enable the electorate to prepare themselves for the forthcoming local government elections. The government decided to give people the opportunity to prepare themselves for the election day to exercise their franchise.
The Kebbi State Independent Electoral Commission (KESIEC) had earlier announced the date for the elections to 21 local government areas, including the chairmanship and councillorship. The nomination forms, contacts, and other relevant documents concerning the election can be obtained at the KESIEC secretariat in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
KESIEC has urged political parties, stakeholders, and the public to comply with the guidelines and be prepared for the poll scheduled for Saturday. The commission has called for the cooperation and support of all stakeholders and the general public to enhance free, fair, credible, and acceptable local council elections in the state.
This is not the first time Governor Idris has declared a public holiday. Earlier, he announced a public holiday to mark the beginning of Muharram 1446AH, the Islamic calendar. The governor congratulated Muslims on the new Islamic calendar and urged them to continue praying for peace, security, and prosperity in Kebbi and Nigeria.
The declaration of the public holiday is seen as a move to ensure a smooth and peaceful conduct of the local government election in the state. With the public holiday, the people of Kebbi State will have the opportunity to prepare themselves for the election and exercise their franchise without any hindrance.
