On Friday, shoppers stock-up on food and basics at a market in the northern Nigerian state of Kano. This is due to concerns about Saturday’s presidential and legislative elections in a country with violent elections.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s two administrations have seen the highest inflation rate in nearly two decades, as well as serious money and petrol shortages.This is displeasing to Nigerians.
“We don’t know the outcome of the election. So everyone is trying to buy items,” said Auwal Usman Ahmed, a potato vendor. He said this as he sorted his goods at the Yan Kaba market in Kano town, capital of the same-named federal state.
In past elections, violence happened after the results were declared in Kano, a predominantly Muslim nation.
Stores and markets in Nigeria generally close on election day. And as a precautionary measure, the country’s security officials restricted car use from 23:00 GMT on Friday to 18:00 (17:00 GMT) on Saturday.
Esther David, a government employee in Kano, expressed worries. However, believing that her prayers would avert the outbreak of violence.
The military and police have promised peaceful elections. Still, pervasive insecurity worries the voters.
Norah Ejike, a registered nurse in Anambra, where separatist and gang violence has killed scores this year, raised concern about post-election violence.
Ejike, 22, a last-minute shopper in Awka, Anambra’s capital, was unable to get the item she desired.
Even though she had money in her bank account and a credit card, market vendors wanted cash. This is because the central bank had stopped issuing old naira notes.
“The best option now is to stock-up” she said.
We simply placed the matter in God’s hands, knowing that there will undoubtedly be killing.