How traders shut Alaba international market for Permanent Voter Cards 

Traders from the popular Alaba International Market, Ojo, during the week besieged various registration centres in the area to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

The action of the traders followed a directive given to them by the market association on Wednesday to take the 2023 elections seriously as their business and survival depends on the outcome of the polls.

It was learnt that traders might not be allowed to open for business until they have obtained their voter cards.

A video circulated on social media showed a man ringing a bell in the market and announcing to the traders that PVC possession is compulsory.

“They said to inform you that Thursday next tomorrow, there will be a total lockdown everywhere Igbos are doing business and at Alaba International so that everybody will go and collect his/her PVC,” the video showed the man saying in Igbo.

“If you have an apprentice in your shop who is 17 years and above or you have a secretary in your shop who is over 17 years old. All of them must have a PVC.

“Starting from Monday next week, we will start a patrol called Operation Show Your PVC. If they come to your shop and you don’t show your PVC, know that you have broken the (market) union’s law. If your secretary doesn’t show hers, she has also broken the law. If your apprentice doesn’t have it, he has broken the law.”

The Alaba International Market is regarded as the biggest electronics market in West Africa. The closure affected banks and other service providers located within the market.

A mammoth crowd of voters besieged the headquarters of Ojo Local Government on Olojo Drive throughout the better part of yesterday.

A trader, Titus Ogochukwu, who spoke to newsmen when he visited the place, said the traders were not bothered about closing their stalls to register for the PVCs.

He said, “The leaders of the market told us that we must get our PVC. The issue was debated and we all agreed to set aside a day for the exercise. During the meeting, we agreed that it will be better on a Thursday, being the day for the weekly environmental sanitation exercise in the market.

“We complied, but we regret the inconvenience it caused our customers some of them came from within and outside the state. Most of the hotels in Ojo are fully booked by customers who came from outside the state. They are waiting for us to open the market for business on Friday.” 

Another trader, James Oladimeji, said “We have discovered that our votes can count, so we want to join hands to change the system. It is not a question of Igbo, Yoruba or Hausa, what is happening affects every tribe and we need the best candidate.”