Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has declared April 26, 2024, as a half-working day for public and civil servants in the state, as the local government elections scheduled for April 27, 2024, draw closer.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the governor on Media, Suleiman Olanrewaju, the decision was made in connection with the forthcoming local government election.
According to the circular signed and released by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo, all government offices are directed to close by noon on April 26, 2024.
However, personnel covering essential services are expected to remain at their duty posts.
The state government has encouraged all public and civil servants to exercise their civic rights by participating in the local government elections on Saturday, April 27, 2024.
“The state government, therefore, enjoined all public and civil servants to go out and exercise their civic rights on Saturday,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the African Action Congress (AAC), Oyo State Chapter, raised an alarm over purported plans by the Oyo State Government to engage the services of thugs and hoodlums to manipulate the elections.
In a press statement by the party’s chairman, Kayode Babayomi, it was said that using thugs to disrupt the election process would greatly undermine the principles of democracy.
The statement reads: “We urge Governor Makinde and his administration to desist from such acts of election malpractice. The use of thugs to manipulate the electoral process is unacceptable and goes against the principles of free and fair elections.
“We call on all well-meaning Nigerians and civil society organisations to join us in ensuring that the upcoming local government elections are conducted peacefully and without prejudice.”
