Some traders at the popular Ikpoba Hill Market in Benin City converged on Saturday, September 21, 2024, night for business shortly after the close of the Edo Governorship Election.
There was restriction of movement during the election hours, which ended at 6:00 pm.
The exercise affected commercial activities as shops and markets remained shut.
Some traders, who spoke in separate interviews said they were hopeful to make good sales, despite opening late.
They argued that there were people who could not cope without coming to the market to buy stuff daily.
According to them, such buyers must come, regardless of the time.
A fruit seller, Loveth Idemudia, said she came to the market to save her goods from getting spoiled.
“I bought many loaves of bread and other fruits and if I fail to do night sales, they might get bad.
“I won’t be able to sell them tomorrow morning because I will be going to church,” Mrs Idemudia said.
She said that, despite arriving at the market at about 6.39 pm, she had made reasonable sales and was hopeful to sell all the stuff before retiring home.
Another trader, Angela Osas, who deals in ‘fufu’, said she had sold one bucket of the food within an hour.
“I got this business idea after the 2023 General Elections and today I can tell you that my coming here tonight has been rewarding,” Mrs Osas said.
A tomato seller, who identified herself simply as “Mama Baby,” said her target was to sell her products to avoid any loss.
“I didn’t come on time, but I know that I will finish my goods quickly because people are buying gradually since about an hour ago I came,” she said.
A customer, Cecilia Emeka, who came to make some purchases at the market, said that many shops in her area were shut, hence she came to the market.
