- Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed declared Monday, August 17, 2026, a work-free day ahead of local government council elections
- The declaration covers civil servants, public workers, and banking sector employees at state, local, and federal levels in Bauchi
- Workers in essential services are exempted from the work-free day, while citizens are urged to vote peacefully and responsibly
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has declared Monday, August 17, 2026, a public holiday to allow workers across the state to vote in the upcoming local government council elections.
The announcement covers civil servants and public employees at the state, local government, and federal levels, as well as staff in the banking sector who are based within the state.
As reported by Vanguard, workers providing essential services are, however, not covered by the declaration and are expected to remain on duty.
Why Bauchi declared a work-free day
The state government said the decision came after the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC) officially fixed August 17 as the date for local government council elections across Bauchi State.
Officials said the work-free day was designed to remove any conflict between official duties and the right of eligible citizens to cast their votes at the grassroots level.
The government said the move reflects its commitment to supporting democratic participation at the local level, giving workers the freedom to exercise their constitutional right without interruption from work obligations.
Bauchi governor’s message to voters
Governor Mohammed urged residents and citizens of the state to turn out peacefully and vote in line with the law. He called on eligible voters to maintain responsible behaviour before, during, and after the elections.
The governor also assured citizens that relevant authorities would take steps to ensure a calm and orderly environment on election day.
He appealed to residents to cooperate with both security agencies and electoral officials as they carry out their duties.
Mohammed extended goodwill to the people of Bauchi State, wishing them a peaceful and successful local government council election.
Source: Legit.ng