Jonathan and Sambo at a PDP event

Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

As commuters in Lagos contemplate how to navigate the expected traffic jam that may result from the National Convention of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC holding in the city on Wednesday and Thursday, such worries have been taken off the neck of civil servants in Abuja who have been asked to stay at home for the two days a similar event by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP will last.

Just like the APC, PDP will also be holding its national convention on Wednesday and Thursday in Abuja.

Nigeria’s Head of Service, acting on what he said is a superior order told civil servants on Tuesday that the Federal Secretariat will be shut on Wednesday and Thursday because of what he termed “special event” at the Eagle Square Abuja.

The letter titled: Closure of Office Complexes was signed by Babatope Ajakaiye Permanent Secretary (CSO) on behalf of the Head of Civil Service.

The full letter reads: “As a result of the special event taking place at the Eagle Square on Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th December, 2014, you are hereby informed that all offices in Federal Secretariat Phases 1, II, III and ministry of Foreign Affairs are to be closed on those days.

“However, normal work resumes on Friday, 12th December, 2014. Please accept the regards of the Head of the Civil Service of Federation.”

Eagle Square, a favourite venue for political events abuts the Federal Secretariat where most ministries and agencies of federal government operate from.

Government has always shut the Secretariat down while asking the workers to stay at home especially for events involving the PDP or President Goodluck Jonathan in recent times.

A twin bomb attack less than a kilometre away from the facility during the 2010 Independence Day celebration attended by President Jonathan, some of his predecessors and head of governments from other countries claimed about 10 lives.

President Jonathan has stopped celebrating Independence Day at the facility after the bomb attack claimed by the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta.