Editorial: Security Must Not Eclipse the Constitution
News Rendezvous The imposition of an 18-hour curfew in Abuja by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, demands sober national reflection. No government should take lightly the decision to restrict citizens’ movement for 18 out of 24 hours. Such a measure is extraordinary. It carries economic, social, and constitutional implications that extend far beyond immediate security calculations. The Nigerian Constitution, specifically the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, guarantees freedom of movement under Section 41. While rights may be restricted in the interest of security, such restrictions must be lawful, necessary, and proportionate. The question before us is simple: Does the present situation in Abuja justify an 18-hour lockdown? Legal scholar and APC stalwart Umar D. Duhu has raised concerns that deserve serious attention. Whether one agrees with his political leanings or not, the constitutional questions he raises are valid. Abuja is not under ...