The ongoing governorship election in Ekiti State has created economic opportunities for small-scale traders, with many business owners reporting increased patronage around polling centres in Ekiti West Local Government Area.
As voting continued across the state, vendors and shop operators benefited from the influx of voters, election personnel, party agents and observers moving through various communities.
Across several polling locations and major roads within the council area, residents capitalised on the large turnout to engage in commercial activities, providing refreshments and other essential items to people participating in the electoral process.
Sellers of sachet water, bottled drinks, snacks and confectioneries were seen moving around polling units and surrounding neighbourhoods, attending to customers waiting to cast their ballots.
Food vendors and shop owners also kept their businesses open to serve residents and visitors who travelled into the communities for the election despite restrictions on vehicular movement imposed across the state.
In Aramoko-Ekiti, commercial activities increased as many voters purchased food and beverages while waiting for accreditation and voting procedures to be completed.
A similar trend was observed in Ido-Ile-Ekiti and Ipole-Iloro-Ekiti, where numerous traders opened their shops to take advantage of the heightened human traffic.
Likewise, in Erijiyan-Ekiti and Ikogosi-Ekiti, the hometown of the incumbent governor, business outlets remained operational, providing food, drinks and other items to residents and visitors.
One of the traders, Mrs Aina Jegede, who sold soft drinks and snacks near a polling centre, said the election had translated into higher sales compared to a normal business day.
“I have made good sales today because many people came into the community for the election. Unlike normal days, there are more people moving around and buying drinks and snacks,” she said.
Jegede expressed optimism that customer turnout would remain high throughout the voting period.
Several other traders also described the election as an opportunity to increase their earnings, citing the large number of people gathered in their communities as a major factor behind the improved business activity.