Election eve: Lagos residents in panic shopping, banking

Ahead of the April 2 election in which Nigerians will decide those that will represent them at the federal legislature, terrible traffic situations were observed across the city of Lagos. This was partly due to the fact that some residents had to travel to their preferred constituencies for the voting.

SATURDAY PUNCH observed an air of suspense as people moved swiftly to their desired destinations on Friday. Findings showed that banking halls played host to a crowd of customers. Many of the customers said they had come to deposit proceeds from their previous transactions, while many others had come to withdraw money from their accounts for their families’ upkeep while voting lasted, because movements would be restricted.

At market places, women turned out in large numbers to do last minute shopping. At some of the meat stalls visited on Friday, it was observed that the price of meat had shot up significantly, just like other food items.

Some Lagos residents told SATURDAY PUNCH that they had to prepare for the outcome of the elections. With pockets of violence recorded in the build-up to the general elections, many say that residents are apprehensive.