Following the shift in the dates of the general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, there has been general calm in the atmosphere.
Our reporter who went around the city of Port Harcourt in the wake of the action by INEC discovered a general placid condition with business and other activities picking up, though slowly.
Vehicular movements were no less affected by the shift in the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
But a check on both the popular Mile 1 and Mile 3 markets indicated that traders were back at their stands, even as buyers resumed shopping for commodity items.
A woman was seen hawking jollof rice in Mile 1 market, calling on her buyers to “buy after cancellation jollof rice'” this drew attention to her as she made brisk sales. While some sections like green leaves and vegetables were not open to buyers, others items were in display. A trader on grocery, Mike Joseph said that though the postponement took place, there would be another time to prepare for voting.
He said that those in the fresh leaves section could not make it to the market as they would need to get to the farm early before coming to the market. But he expressed disappointment what INEC’s preparations turned out to be. ‘ I had prepared to vote this morning when my neighbor drew my attention to what happened. I could not believe until another person confirmed through the news on the radio.”
Also, at Mile 3 , traders were seen going about there normal business.
While, at GRA , the atmosphere was placid around the forces avenue. But there were military men providing security around the CBN, even as they stopped and searched vehicles moving to and fro the area.
Also, at the state INEC’s office on Aba road, many commercial buses were packed to block a section of the road, forcing other motorists to ply the flyover by the CFC.
We gathered that the buses were those hired by the Commission to carry officials and materials to polling units across the state.
It will be recalled that, INEC, at a Press Conference Saturday morning announced the shift in the general election by a week. The moved, according to the electoral umpire was caused by logistical setbacks among which were bad weather, breakdown of vehicle conveying sensitive materials, alleged mistaken distribution of materials meant for Edo state in Rivers State, including other reasons. Many Nigerians had taken a swipe at INEC for an unexpected u-turn. Others were of the opinion that INEC’s action would lead to better preparation next Saturday.
