Some shop owners and traders in Obio/Akpor, Rivers State, on Saturday opened for business in defiance to the state government’s no-movement order during the Local Government elections.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that while the election was ongoing, some residents of the city went ahead with there personal businesses.
Kachi James, a shop owner at Woji Ward 6, told NAN that she decided to give priority attention to her business.
She said that the political differences between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom, had demoralised many residents of the state
“This business is the only way that I can put food on my family’s table, so I won’t risk my life just to vote,” she said.
Similarly, a Point of Sale vendor, Burma Wenodi, said that he had became disappointed with politics and the political class especially, after the 2023 election.
“I have been participating in previous elections, there has been no difference or impact on my life,” he said.
The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara had on Wednesday declared October 3 and 4 as public holiday in preparation for the Local Government elections in the state.
The governor in a state-wide broadcast had urged residents to come out en-masse and participate in the election that will determine the next leaders at the grassroots.
He announced a total restriction on vehicular and human movements into, within, and out of the state, and the Local Government Areas, from midnight of Friday October 4, 2024 to 5pm on Saturday, October 5, 2024, except for persons and vehicles with valid identifications for election and other essential duties.
Fubara noted that the police and other security agencies had been put on alert to arrest and prosecute any person or group who attempts to violate the restriction order and enjoined Rivers people to comply with the process in order to have a peaceful and credible local government polls.
