JamzNG Latest News, Gist, Entertainment in Nigeria
Commercial motorcyclists and tricycle operators in Ado-Ekiti have continued their operations despite the movement restriction ordered by the police in the conduct of the ongoing governorship election of Ekiti State.
Even at 8 in the morning. On Saturday, when accreditation and voting were scheduled to begin, some traders in major markets in the Ado-Ekiti metropolis displayed their wares and tended to customers.
.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of Ekiti governorship elections, Abayomi Shogunle, had on Friday ordered the restriction of movement of vehicles from midnight on Friday to 6pm on Saturday.
Some of the markets visited in the state capital included Eleyeo, Oja Oba Erekesan and Oja Bisi markets where voting had already begun.
A commercial motorcyclist, Oluwadare Adeleye, said he was carrying passengers because “the election is just a walk in the park for Governor Biodun Oyebanji with no serious opponents”, questioning why he needed to stay home.
Adeleye also noted that the security officers on site during the elections were very friendly, unlike in past elections
On his part, Mr Moses Ajibade, a tricyclist, said he was aware of the movement order restrictions by the police, but added that he needs to feed his family and fulfill his weekly contribution obligation, hence the need to engage in lively activity.
“I went out around 5.30am hoping that by 8am I would have stopped, but I had to continue working when I noticed that there were no arrests by the security men,” he said.
Ms Funmillayao Abolade, a pepper and vegetable seller, said her items are seasonal and could be wasted if not disposed of at the right time.
“I can’t leave my market wasted; that’s why I came to sell and I’m not here alone; you can see my other colleagues also selling their goods,” she said.
When reminded of the police restrictions directive, Abolade said she was aware, but added that she had no choice but to be at the market and return to vote later.
Meanwhile, there was early arrival of election materials, massive turnout of voters and heavy presence of security operatives in most wards and polling units visited in Ado Local Government Area of the state.
In Ward 10, Unit 7 and Ward 8, Unit 9, accreditation and voting began at exactly 8:30 am as election officials had arrived at the units as early as 7 am
In Ward 8, Unit 9, a former senator from Ekiti Central, Babafemi Ojudu, lauded the large turnout of voters but described the process as cumbersome.
He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently intervene to address the situation.
“It took 30 minutes for the BVAS to capture my face and you can multiply that if we have 500 voters.
“This means that some people will have to be here until tomorrow. I ask INEC to do something urgently about this,” he said.
