Ekiti decides: Okada riders, tricyclists, traders defy movement restriction

Commercial motorcyclists and tricycle operators in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday continued their activities despite the restriction of movement imposed by the police for the ongoing governorship election in Ekiti State.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, as early as 8 a.m., when accreditation and voting were scheduled to begin, some traders in major markets across the Ado-Ekiti metropolis had already opened for business and were attending to customers.

The Police Commissioner overseeing the Ekiti governorship election, Mr Abayomi Shogunle, had earlier announced a restriction on vehicular movement from midnight on Friday until 6 p.m. on Saturday as part of security arrangements for the election.

Markets visited within the state capital included Eleyele Market, Oja Oba Erekesan and Oja Bisi, where electoral activities had already commenced.

One commercial motorcyclist, Oluwadare Adeleye, said he decided to continue carrying passengers because he believed the election would be an easy victory for Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

According to him, there was no reason to remain indoors since he considered the contest largely unchallenged.

He also noted that security personnel deployed for the election were more friendly and relaxed compared to previous elections in the state.

Similarly, a tricycle operator, Mr Moses Ajibade, acknowledged awareness of the police directive restricting movement but said economic realities compelled him to continue working.

Ajibade explained that he needed to provide for his family and meet his weekly contribution obligations.

“I came out around 5:30 a.m., hoping to stop by 8 a.m., but when I noticed security operatives were not enforcing the restriction strictly, I continued working,” he said.

A trader, Mrs Funmilayo Abolade, who sells pepper and vegetables, said she could not afford to stay away from the market because her goods were perishable.

“I cannot allow my goods to spoil. That is why I came out to sell. As you can see, many other traders are also here doing business,” she said.

Although she admitted being aware of the restriction order, Abolade maintained that she had no alternative but to continue trading before returning later to cast her vote.