The Enugu State Government and the state Police Command have announced restrictions on vehicular and other forms of movement across the state on Saturday, September 26, 2026, as residents go to the polls for the local government elections.
The election, organised by the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, will determine chairmen for the 17 local government councils and councillors for the 260 wards across the state.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, the state government said movement would be restricted from 6am to 4pm on election day.
The directive covers vehicular movement and other forms of transportation across the state and is intended to support the peaceful and orderly conduct of the election.
However, in a separate statement, the state Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa, announced a restriction on human and vehicular movement from 8am to 4pm.
The government said exemptions would apply to accredited election officials and personnel, security officers deployed for election duties, accredited election observers and authorised media practitioners.
Health workers, ambulances, firefighters and individuals performing other essential or emergency duties would also be permitted to move during the restriction.
The state government urged residents, political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders to comply with the directive and maintain peaceful conduct before, during and after the election.
It also directed security agencies to enforce the restriction and maintain law and order throughout the electoral period.
The police further barred quasi-security organisations from participating in election security operations. Armed security personnel assigned to VIP escort duties were also directed not to accompany their principals to polling units.
Giwa assured residents that adequate security arrangements had been made for the election and urged eligible voters to exercise their franchise peacefully.
He warned political parties, candidates and their supporters against electoral malpractice and other activities capable of disrupting the election, stressing that offenders would face the law.
The police also asked members of the public to report suspicious persons or activities that could threaten the peaceful conduct of the poll.
The Saturday election is the first Enugu State local government election since the previous poll held on September 21, 2024. At that election, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party won all 17 chairmanship positions and all 260 councillorship seats, according to PUNCH.
Ahead of this year’s poll, ENSIEC said it was more than 90 per cent prepared as of September 14, with electoral materials, personnel training and security arrangements at advanced stages. The commission said 11 political parties would participate in the election.
Seven political parties also signed a peace agreement on September 23, committing themselves and their candidates to peaceful participation and respect for the electoral process. The parties included the Nigeria Democratic Congress, BOOT, NRM, ADP, APP, APGA and APC.
The state government appealed to residents to cooperate with the temporary movement restriction, while security authorities urged voters to exercise their democratic rights peacefully.
The election is scheduled to cover all 17 local government areas and 260 wards in Enugu State.
