Niger LG Polls: Governor Bago Declares Two-Day Public Holiday

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has declared Thursday, October 30, and Friday, October 31, 2025, as public holidays ahead of the state’s local government elections scheduled for Saturday, November 1.

Announcing the decision in Minna on Wednesday, Governor Bago said the holiday would enable residents to fully participate in the electoral process. However, he clarified that essential service providers such as hospitals, banks, and security agencies are exempted.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the governor encouraged citizens to come out en masse to vote peacefully for candidates of their choice, emphasizing that their participation is vital to the progress and development of the state.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, has urged residents to actively engage in the elections.

In a statement released in Minna, Bishop Yohanna stressed that voter apathy could undermine democracy, urging registered voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices before election day.

“The 2025 local government elections are near. I appeal to those yet to collect their PVCs to do so immediately to avoid last-minute rushes,” he said.

He encouraged Christians and all eligible voters to participate in the November 1 chairmanship and councillorship polls, describing voting as both a civic right and responsibility.

Dr. Yohanna further advised political parties to field credible candidates committed to public service and addressing community needs. He also called on state and local leaders, as well as church heads, to motivate citizens to participate and disregard negative claims that “votes do not count.”