**Nigeria's Democracy Under Scrutiny: Senator Kingibe Speaks Out Against FCT Movement Restriction** As Nigerians prepare for the upcoming Local Government elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a storm is brewing over the movement restriction imposed by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike. Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the FCT, has fired a shot across the bow of the Minister, calling for an immediate review and suspension of the curfew. Last week, Mr. Wike announced a work-free day and restricted movement from 8 pm on Friday to 6 pm on Saturday. While the intention might have been to ensure a smooth election, Senator Kingibe sees it as an affront to democratic governance and the rights of FCT residents. In a statement, she described the Minister's action as "authoritarian, ill-considered, and unacceptable in a democratic society." The Senator is not alone in her concerns. Many Nigerians will recall the economic hardship and inconvenience caused by previous restrictions on movement, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This time, the stakes are higher, with international visitors, including ECOWAS Parliamentarians, set to arrive in Abuja for a major meeting. Senator Kingibe's argument is straightforward: the FCT residents are not subjects under a dictatorship but citizens of a democratic republic. Any restriction on their movement and livelihoods must be justified and carried out with transparency. She emphasizes that security concerns, although valid, cannot be used as a blanket justification for executive overreach. In a veiled reference to previous administrators of the FCT, Senator Kingibe reminds the Minister that decisions of this magnitude require cause, consultation with stakeholders, and due process. She urges him to remember that the rights, freedoms, and economic well-being of FCT residents must never be compromised by arbitrary, authoritarian, and draconian executive action. As the FCT prepares for the elections, it remains to be seen whether the Minister will heed Senator Kingibe's call. One thing is certain, however: Nigerians are watching and waiting to see if democracy will be upheld in the FCT.