PATS-ACHOLONU, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The issue raised in this appeal is the same as the issue or question that was considered in the case of Soulabiu O. Balogun v. Kehinde Odumosu and 2 Ors CA/L/ET/2/99;(1999) 2 NWLR (Pt.592) 590 an election petition case. The point to be determined there is whether Saturday is a public holiday which by its nature would make it impossible to file an action on that date in the registry of Election Tribunal. In a considered judgment this court held that Saturday is not a public holiday and section 82 of the Local Government (Basic Constitutional Transitional Provision) Decree No. 36 1998 is meant to be construed strictly and not liberally as by the terms of the total provision of the enactment time is of the essence. The message sent is that the dictates of public holiday policy would not admit of the leisure of extension of time or failure to file a process before the time schedule expires.
In this case the appeal was filed on 21/12/…