Hawkers enjoyed booming business on Tuesday as voters waited for the arrival of All Progressives Congress (APC) electoral officials at Wards A and B in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Federal Constituency during the party’s primary election.
As of 2:15 p.m., voting had yet to commence, although security operatives were stationed at the venue and a large number of voters had turned out, waiting patiently for the exercise to begin.
The House of Representatives primary is being contested by Paul Kalejaiye and Taiwo Kolawole, popularly known as H.K.T.
Speaking at the venue, Ademola Ismaila, Supervisor for Environment in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government, appealed to voters to remain calm, assuring them that electoral officials were on their way.
According to him, voting had not started in any ward across the local government area at the time.
The delay, however, turned into a business opportunity for food and drink vendors around the venue.
Olamide Seyinko, who sells spiced kpomo and fish, said she sold out her goods much earlier than usual because of the crowd gathered for the election.
“Normally, it takes me until night before I finish selling a bucket of spiced kpomo, but today the sales were very fast because of the election activities,” she said.
Another trader, Bimbo Kehinde, a biscuit and soft drink seller, said she had already restocked her drinks twice before afternoon — something she rarely experiences on regular days.
“I have made very good sales today and I’m happy. I even expect more sales before the election activities end,” she said.
Different items including moi-moi, small chops, chin-chin, carrots and sachet alcohol were also sold around the venue.
Some voters, however, expressed frustration over the prolonged wait.
One of them, Salome Adams, said she arrived early in the morning hoping to vote quickly and return home.
“I’ve been here since morning and voting has still not started. If nothing happens soon, I may just leave,” she said.
