Election Violence Scare: Benue Residents Take Measures

As Nigerians prepare to cast their votes for the presidential candidate of their choice in March 28 presidential election, residents of Benue State have quickly taken measures to mitigate the effect of any possible post-election violence.

Traders having a swell day in market

Vanguard reports that the residents were seen on Friday in Makurdi, trooping in out of the markets, shops, malls to restock their kitchens ahead of the presidential/National Assembly polls on Saturday.

It was gathered from some of the traders that commercial activities soared in the area as customers continue to throng the market to patronize their businesses.
However, a survey of business premises in the state capital showed that residents were either buying essential commodities, mostly food items, toiletries or selling their wares.
The survey also showed crowded bank halls as customers queued to make cash withdrawals to purchase goods, while motor parks, commercial vehicle operators, particularly those operating intra-city services, were having difficult time coping with customers requests.
Some of the residents who spoke with newsmen said they it was imperative for them to restock their stores ahead of tomorrow’s poll.
A resident who gave his name as Mr Moses Atem, an engineer by profession posited that it was better to buy enough and store at home to avoid unnecessary movement during and after the elections, noting that there were too many anxieties about the outcome of the elections to warrant such movement.
A house wife, Mrs. Dominic Yakubu, said: “Since there is restriction of vehicular movement on that day, it is better to restock commodities that have finished to avoid feeding challenges.”
The residents seen at the motor park revealed that it was better for them to cast their votes in their villages where their security is more guaranteed.
Meanwhile, a cross section of traders said they were having brisk sales, especially with food commodities and perishable items like tomatoes, pepper and onions.

Markets such as Wurukum, Wadata and Highlevel, all in Makurdi, were experiencing a busy day as customers struggled to buy commodities.
There are a lot of apprehensions presently in Benue State that can lead to post election violence, especially with politicians making accusations and counter accusations against themselves.

The Ortom/Abounu governorship campaign organization in the state has claimed that it has discovered plans by a group of militia men belonging to the Peoples Democratic Party, to assassinate its director of finance, Sarwuan Tarnongu.