By Adadareporters
Some traders at the popular Swali market in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa state, Friday, expressed voter apathy ahead of tomorrow’s governorship election in the state. The traders, who were conducting their businesses orderly when our correspondent visited, expressed reservations on the free and fair outcome of the poll.
A pepper seller, who spoke with our correspondent, said, “I have a voter’s card, but I don’t use it to vote. I use it as my ID card. I voted in the last election, but I will not vote again.” When asked her reasons, she said, “Today they will say BiVAS is a must; tomorrow, they will say BiVAS is not compulsory. Where do we belong? Even if I vote one hundred times, they have known who will win. At worst, they go to Abuja to complete it. You are doing as if it is not the same INEC that conducted the last elections that will conduct this one. Are they using BiVAS or not?”
Johnson White sells beverages at the market. He said, “What has the government done to me to make me waste N20, 000 to go to Neme by speed boat to cast my vote? I doubt if I can ever vote again. Court judgements from Abuja are even more worrisome. Somebody will rig elections and ask you the opponent to go to court. And when you go to court, judges are bribed to favour the highest bidders. I now mind my business.”
An operator of a barber’s shop within the market, who does not want his name mentioned, said, “I registered at Ekefi. It is not far from here. I’ll vote if there is no violence. But our leaders’ wickedness makes voting not motivating to me. They are selfish. They know only their people. I graduated in 2009, and no job. And when I start any business, the same government will use levies and dues to run my business down. Let tomorrow come first.”
Jerome said he is a member of the traders’ association of the market. According to him, “I encourage eligible voters to cast their votes. It is true that all is not well, but if we don’t vote, power will continue to remain with the bad leaders. The last general elections proved me right, although court judgements on visibly rigged elections are casting doubts on the part of the electorate. Many people are angry over Supreme Court judgement on the presidential election, but Nigeria is our only country. We keep trying.”
Most of the traders said their greatest concern would be the shutting down of the market tomorrow which has already been announced by the government to enable residents of the state to cast their votes.
