President Goodluck Jonathan has directed the closure of all Nigeria’s land and sea borders from midnight today, Wednesday, March 25, till midnight on Saturday, March 28 – the day of the country’s presidential election.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Alhaji Abubakar Magaji, announced this in a statement he issued this afternoon in Abuja.

He said that President Jonathan has also directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to ensure that non-Nigerians do not participate in any part of the election process.

Alhaji Magaji said that the border closure would allow for the peaceful conduct of the presidential ballot originally billed for February 14 but later rescheduled to hold on March 28.

Though there are several candidates in the race, the main challenge to President Jonathan is from ex-military ruler Muhammadu Buhari.