With only a few hours until the presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday, Benue and Ondo states have declared Friday, February 24, as a work-free day.
This was as Oyo State Government declared the day a half-working day to allow public and civil servants who may need to travel to perform their civic responsibilities to do so.
Benue State Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Michael Inalegwu, said, in a statement on Thursday, that the State Executive Council took the decision to enable workers of the state to proceed to their various communities to vote on Saturday.
He, however, explained that workers in the judiciary, security, banks, hospitals and fire service departments were exempted from the work-free day and urged them to continue providing public services.
“Council further urged the Benue people to conduct themselves peacefully during the elections as they have done in previous ones,” Inalegwu said.
On its part, the Ondo State Government declared February 24 and March 10, 2023 as work-free days for public servants in the state.
This was contained in a circular issued from the office of the Head of Service, Mr Kayode Ogundele, on Thursday.
The circular said, “The Governor of Ondo State, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, has declared Friday, February 24, and Friday, March 10, 2023, as work-free days for public servants in the state to enable them to travel to their various communities to exercise their civic responsibilities in the presidential, National Assembly, and state Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, February 25, and Saturday, March 11, 2023, respectively.
“This circular supersedes the previous one dated February 22, 2023, on the same subject. Accounting Officers are to note the content of this circular and disseminate same to all staff of their respective ministries, departments and agencies.”
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, said Friday will be a half-working day.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Taiwo Adisa, said the declaration was contained in a circular signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Olubanwo Adeosun.
“The declaration of Friday as a half-day is in tandem with the governor’s commitment to deepening democracy and good governance.
“In this regard, government offices are to close by noon, while staff covering essential services are expected to remain at their duty posts,” the statement added.
