Businesses and individuals in Nigeria, cramped for several days by fears of the possibility of election violence, have come out of their shells and resumed operations and life as usual, following the public acceptance of defeat at the polls by incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan, whose conduct has been described by observers as patriotic and sporting.
Jonathan was defeated in the presidential polls held last weekend by Muhammadu Buhari, a former military head of state.
Weeks before the elections, bands of fearful wealthy Nigerians thronged the country’s international airports to travel abroad, from where they are currently waiting and watching for signs or acts of violence. This conduct is informed by previous experiences dating back many years.
Business had slowed down across Nigeria over the past few weeks on security considerations, while some families and individuals relocated to areas where they felt safer.
“Ah, don’t you know what is happening in town…do you want them to loot my shop?” a shop owner seen quickly packing up, said to BusinessDay in Abuja on Friday.
By Wednesday morning however, most petrol stations opened for the first time in almost a week, and as the day wore on, more and more businesses opened their doors. For the first time in days, there were the first hints of traffic jams in Lagos and some other major cities.
Business in Enugu state which were closed last Saturday and Sunday had fully resumed by yesterday.
There was however significant police presence. Non indigenes such as Hausas, particularly those who polish shoes and sell fruits, are now moving more freely and doing their business after the tension had been doused.
In Aba, the atmosphere in the commercial city remained calm yesterday. Markets, commercial banks and fuel stations were providing full service to customers.
Also, those who traveled out of the city for the elections have started returning.
BusinessDay checks at the Hausa community on Mosque Street, revealed that some of those that traveled for the exercise are back and have also reopened their shops for business.
Idris Bashir, chief imam of Aba Central Mosque, explained that the election in Aba was peaceful, stating that members of the Hausa community who stayed back to cast their votes in Aba, did not experience any form of intimidation from anybody.
Bashir expressed happiness over the conduct of the election and lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission for introducing the electronic voting system, which he observed reduced rigging in the election.
“I was impressed with the way INEC conducted the Presidential and National Assembly Elections, last weekend. The result of the election was not shocking to me, because I saw it coming.
“We thank God that in this part of the country, there was no violence or intimidation and I have not received any bad report. We also thank God that the result came as we expected.
“Today alone, I have visited four Local Government Areas where we have Hausa settlements and everything is okay.The Aba man is not violent; he is only interested in his business.”
Bashir however urged the president elect, Muhammad Buhari to fulfil his promise to stamp out corruption in the country. In Kano, businesses, and public establishments which were closed down as a result of last Saturday’s general election, have also now resumed full operations .
The resumption of activities is taking place amidst mass celebrations over Buhari’s victory at the presidential polls. Many residents of the state have been celebrating since Tuesday night when INEC officially declared Buhari winner of the presidential poll.
Following the successful conclusion of the Saturday poll, BusinessDay observed that all the businesses, particularly those situated in the metropolis have re-opened.
Similarly, most of the federal and state government controlled Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), that were shut down because of the election have resumed fully operations.
At the Murtala Muhammed Way in the Kano metropolis, where most of the Deposit MoneyBanks (MDBS) are situated, business has also fully resumed.
In the same vein, at the popular Abubakar Rimi Market which is situated in Sabon-Gari Area, most of the shops that were locked up by traders because of the election were seen opened for business.
Most of the residents interviewed were satisfied with the outcome of the election, and the resumption of business activities in the state.
One of the respondents, Aminu Dangana, who is the chief executive officer, Giduniya Financial and Security Management Company, said the outcome of the last Saturday general election was not different from the expectations of most Nigerians, judging from what transpired during the campaign.
From Yola, Abdurahaman Modibbo Girei, president, Adamawa Chamber of Commerce and Industry told BusinessDay,“Those who closed their shops and offices on Monday and Tuesday are now opening them today. I know this because my office is close to the shopping complex here in Yola,”
In Jos, the Central Business Area which was hushed days ago is becoming a beehive of activity as APC supporters celebrate the victory of Mohammadu Buhari with music and the broom symbol of the party, and buyers and sellers are conducting transactions.
Banks which were partially operating till 12.00 noon on Monday and Tuesday have resumed full operations.
Petrol stations which were shut down are now in full operation and vehicular movements is gradually building up.
Motor parks however remain scanty with a few people travelling out of the state.
A bus driver in one of the motor parks said that “ not so many people will like to travel, there is no threat and we did not even increase transportation fare all this while”.
ONYINYE NWACHUKWU, ADEOLA AJAKAIYE, REGIS ANUKWUOJI, RASAK AYINLA, GODFREY OFURUM, HOPE IKWE & ODINAKA ANUDU
