THE federal government of Nigeria has declared Friday, February 22, as a public holiday, in preparation for the February 23 presidential and parliamentary elections.

The ministry of interior via a statement made public on Wednesday and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Georgina Ehuriah, however, excluded bankers and those offering essential services across the nation.

“Federal Government declares Friday 22, February 2019 as work-free day. Those providing essential duties and bankers are excluded,” the statement read.

“The work-free day is to enable citizens return to their poling units for the reschedule Presidential & National Assembly elections.

“Security agencies have been directed to ensure safety of lives and property before, during and after the general election.”

Some states and businesses across the federation had initially declared holiday for members of staff on February 15, in anticipation of the February 16 elections.

Major banks across the country issued statements of early closure on Friday, February 15 — closing their outlets earlier than usual.

But the elections were unexpectedly postponed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) hours to the commencement of the exercise, blaming logistical reasons and sabotage for the delay.

“Consequently, the Commission has decided to reschedule the Presidential and National Assembly Elections to Saturday, 23rd February 2019. Furthermore, the Governorship, State House of Assembly and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections is rescheduled to Saturday 9th March 2019,” the commission’s chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, declared on Saturday.

(NAN)