By UCHENNA ELETUO

Traders at the two major markets at the sprawling Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, Balogun and Article markets shut their shops on Wednesday to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

The measure was a decision by the managements of both markets to give traders in the commercial hub the opportunity to get their voter cards at ward areas ahead of the Jan. 29 INEC deadline.

Those who fail to collect the cards at the ward centre by the expiration of the deadline will have to go to INEC offices in their local government secretariats to collect same.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the automobiles spare parts market within the complex was shut on Saturday for the same purpose.

The Balogun and Articles markets at the Trade Fair Complex also serve countries neighbouring Nigeria.

Spokesman of Balogun Market, Mr Leo Ogbonna, told NAN that the shops were shut to encourage the traders to collect their PVCS and exercise their franchise on Election Day.

He stressed that the possession of the card would determine the privileges a member would enjoy in the complex in days to come.

“We cannot insulate ourselves from politics, even as we operate in the informal sector as politics determines what we do to a large extent.

“If we do not take this type of measure, many of our members will not collect their PVCs as they must open their shops everyday and they will be disenfranchised on Election Day,’’ Ogbonna said.

He decried the parochial attitude of some of the traders to elections and said the management attached high premium to the exercise.

Ogbonna urged the traders to seize the opportunity of the market closure to collect their PVCs. (NAN)

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