Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun State, has proclaimed Friday a public holiday.
According to a statement issued by the governor’s spokeswoman, Olawale Rasheed, on Thursday, the holiday was declared to allow citizens of the state to travel to their polling units to vote in the State House of Assembly election on Saturday.
The governor then urged locals to be calm and law-abiding as the elections approached.
It partly read, “The public holiday is to enable Osun State residents to travel to their polling units to vote on Saturday for the State House of Assembly elections. I call on Osun people to file out and exercise their civic rights.
“This election is very critical as you will be electing lawmakers who will be working with me. You must vote right.”
Similarly, his counterpart in Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has granted a half-day for civil and public officials in the state on Friday, March 17, 2023, ahead of the election on Saturday.
According to a circular sent by the Secretary to the State Government, Olubanwo Adeosun, the step became necessary to allow people who may choose to travel to vote in the elections to do so.
A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, indicated that workers are expected to close at 12 noon, with only those handling essential duties expected to remain at their duty posts.
It read in part, “This approval of a half-day at work will enable public and civil servants who may wish to travel to perform their civic responsibilities to do so.
“… government offices are to close by noon on Friday, March 17, 2023, while (employees) covering essential services are expected to remain at their duty posts.
“Public and civil servants in the state are enjoined to go out on Saturday, March 18, 2023, to perform their civic responsibilities.”
