MINNA — The Niger State Government has declared Thursday, October 30, and Friday, October 31, 2025, as public holidays to enable residents across the state to fully participate in the forthcoming local government elections scheduled to hold this weekend.
The announcement was made in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman, and made available to journalists in Minna on Tuesday.
According to the statement, Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago approved the two-day public holiday to give citizens adequate time to travel to their respective local government areas, exercise their civic rights, and ensure a smooth electoral process devoid of logistical challenges.
“His Excellency, Governor Umaru Bago, has declared Thursday and Friday, October 30 and 31, 2025, as public holidays to allow residents to participate in the upcoming local government elections across the 25 local government areas of the state,” the statement read.
The SSG added that the decision underscores the administration’s commitment to promoting democracy and grassroots participation in governance.
Government Urges Peaceful Conduct
The state government urged all political parties, candidates, and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the election period.
“The Governor appeals to all stakeholders to uphold peace, orderliness, and mutual respect during and after the elections. The government remains committed to ensuring a free, fair, and credible exercise that reflects the will of the people,” the statement added.
Security agencies have also been directed to ensure maximum safety before, during, and after the elections. The Niger State Police Command confirmed that adequate personnel would be deployed to all polling units, collation centers, and strategic locations to prevent violence and ensure smooth conduct.
Electoral Commission Confirms Readiness
The Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC) has reaffirmed its readiness to conduct the polls across the 25 local government areas.
Speaking on Tuesday, the Chairman of NSIEC, Barr. Aminu Baba, said the commission had completed all logistical and administrative preparations, including the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials to all local government areas.
“We are fully prepared. Training of ad hoc staff has been completed, and all election materials are already being dispatched to the respective local governments,” Baba stated.
He assured that the commission would work closely with security agencies to ensure a peaceful and transparent process.
25 Local Governments, Thousands of Aspirants
The election will see thousands of candidates from various political parties contesting for chairmanship and councillorship positions in the 25 local government councils of Niger State.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are the two major contenders, although smaller parties such as the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Labour Party (LP), and Social Democratic Party (SDP) have also fielded candidates.
Political observers say the elections will serve as a major test of Governor Bago’s grassroots influence and his party’s popularity since assuming office in 2023.
Bago’s Push for Grassroots Development
Since assuming office, Governor Umaru Bago’s administration has emphasised rural transformation and local empowerment, aligning with his “New Niger Agenda,” which seeks to drive development from the grassroots up.
He has repeatedly maintained that effective governance at the local level is critical to improving access to infrastructure, healthcare, education, and agricultural support for rural communities.
“Local government is the closest tier of government to the people. Strengthening it through credible elections is essential to our goal of inclusive development,” Bago said during a recent stakeholders’ meeting in Minna.
The governor’s declaration of public holidays, analysts say, is intended to boost voter turnout and foster greater civic engagement in the democratic process.
Security Tightened Across the State
The Niger State Police Command and other security agencies have heightened surveillance across the state ahead of the polls.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, said a joint task force comprising the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Department of State Services (DSS), and military personnel would be stationed at sensitive areas to ensure law and order.
“We are fully prepared for the elections. Our officers will be deployed across all polling units, collation centers, and highways to protect voters, electoral officials, and materials,” he said.
Abiodun also warned political thugs and troublemakers to steer clear of election venues, stressing that anyone caught attempting to disrupt the process would face the full weight of the law.
Civil Society and INEC React
Civil society organisations monitoring the process have lauded the state government’s proactive step in declaring the holidays, describing it as a move that will enable greater citizen participation.
The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) and Yiaga Africa, in separate comments, urged the electoral commission to maintain transparency and publish polling results promptly to prevent post-election disputes.
Similarly, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) — though not directly conducting the polls — commended the NSIEC for adhering to electoral best practices.
Public Expectations
Residents of Niger State have expressed optimism that the polls will produce credible leaders at the grassroots level. In Bida, Minna, and Kontagora, several voters told reporters they intend to travel home early to avoid movement restrictions and participate in the exercise.
A teacher in Suleja, Mrs. Mariam Abdullahi, said: “It’s a good decision. Some of us work in towns far from our local governments. The holiday gives us time to travel and vote.”
Similarly, a student from Lapai, Aliyu Danladi, added: “We want to see leaders who can truly develop our communities. The governor’s decision to give holidays shows he wants people to take part.”
Conclusion
With the declaration of Thursday and Friday as public holidays, Niger State is set for what authorities describe as a major step toward deepening democracy and accountability at the local level.
The two-day break is expected to ease voter movement and enhance participation across the 25 local government areas.
Governor Umaru Bago has called on citizens to exercise their franchise peacefully and responsibly, emphasizing that the credibility of the process rests on the conduct of both voters and political actors.
As election day approaches, all eyes will be on Niger State — not only to see who emerges victorious but also to assess whether the polls reflect a genuine expression of the people’s will and mark a new chapter for local governance in Nigeria’s North-Central region.
This is a developing story. More updates will follow as the election unfolds.
