…As Food vendors, others make brisk business at Ogun LG polling units***
Some voters at the Okerube Ward B Polling Unit (PU) 025 were sent back to get their nose masks before being accredited to vote in the ongoing election into Local Government Councils in Lagos.
The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), had made it a mandatory condition for voters seeking to exercise their rights to vote.
The nose masks are a major health facility to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
Alhaji Kabiru Omotosho, a voter, who was turned back, said he was not angry over the directive.
“The officers did right by ensuring that COVID-19 protocols are adhered to.
“I was asked to go back; I don’t know how and why I forgot to bring my nose mask. May be I was anxious and excited to vote.
“The officials did right by reminding us. The election is going as it should,” he said.
Mrs Idiat Ajibike, a business woman, told correspondent that she didn’t plan to buy a nose mask but was forced to, as there was no choice.
“If not that I just want to vote, I would have just gone back. I don’t like the fact that I must buy something against my wish.
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“Walking back home is not an option because my place is far from here,” she said.
An electoral officer, who preferred anonymity, said that there was enough publicity about the need for voters to come with their nose masks.
“This is typical Nigerians’ attitude. They don’t pay attention. By now, we all should be used to using this nose mask all the time.
“Imagine if there are no security agents around, some of them will insist that we must allow them to vote without it,” she said.
Malam Abdurasak Isah, who has a kiosk nearby, told newsmen that business was booming with many people rushing to buy nose masks.
“I will soon run out of stock. If I knew there will be high demand, I would have bought plenty, but I am glad I made sales. I have had these nose masks for months now.
“I am enjoying the patronage,” he said.
The turnout had been slow, with many Lagos residents going about their normal activities unperturbed.
One such resident, Mrs Olaseni Idowu, a food vendor, said that she cooked so that electoral officers won’t get hungry while working.
“I know that sales will be good today; a lot of people won’t cook today, so I want to take advantage of today.
“Hunger is not friendly; some of us have to cook,” she said.
In another development, Food vendors and other traders made brisk business at polling units in Sango-Ota during Saturday’s Ogun State Local Government elections.
Most of the voters who trooped out to cast their votes were seen buying foods, soft drinks, bottle water, biscuits, chin-chin, puff-puff (Deep fried dough), biscuits and other items.
Some of the vendors who spoke with newsmen said they made good money from voters at the polling units.
They also said they brought their wares to sell at the polling units since movement was banned during the election.
A food vendor, Mrs Opeyemi Ogundele, said: “I made some money today as many people bought from me and I am happy.”
Mr Daniel Balogun, a soft drink and bottle water seller, also said he made money as many people bought from him.
Miss Tolulope Adeyemi, a small chops seller, also said many people patronised her, which made her happy.
“I am delighted as many people patronised me today,” she said.
Musa Ibrahim, a cigarette, kolanut, bitter cola vendor, also expressed satisfaction with the sales he made at polling units, adding that the large crowd was a blessing to him.
The election grounded commercial and business activities as all shops were closed while vehicular movement was also restricted as directed by the Ogun State government.
