Bumper harvest for Osun traders as residents rush to market ahead election

Osogbo, capital of Osun state, is currently booming with activities as a result of Saturday’s governorship election.

Residents are making last-minute rush to buy items needed so as not to be affected by the restriction of movement on the day of the exercise.

While some are heading to the market, others are busy discussing the likely events that may arise during and after the election.

Anti-riot policemen are stationed at strategic locations while some patrolling the streets with their loud siren.

At Olaiya, Alekuwodo, Alafia church streets, supporters of some major political parties were seen holding rallies and voters education. Campaigns are already over. Long queues were observed at almost every ATM centre and banks visited.

At some major markets in the town such as Oja Odu Ode, Oja Igbona, Oja Oba , Oja Alekuwodo, residents were trooping in to stock their homes with foodstuff.

Some of the buyers who spoke to TheCable said they were not leaving anything to chance. A civil servant, Taiwo Adebayo, said there is so much desperation among the leading contenders.

“I am here to get foodstuffs so that my family will not go hungry. Only God knows what will happen after Saturday,” she said.

“Some of the candidates are seeing the election as a do-or-die affair. Imagine, a leader of one of the parties who is from Lagos state is around, what is his business with Osun election? They are just so desperate and as such anything could happen. I have no plan to even come out to vote that day, just my family and I.”

A food stuff seller who identified herself as Iya Taju said sales for the day have been very encouraging.

“People have be patronising me as if there is no tomorrow. We just pray there is no violence,” she said.

Isiaka Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Moshood Adeoti of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC), Iyiola Omisore of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Ademola Adeleke of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are the leading candidates in the election.