Some traders at Uselu and Oba Markets in Benin have expressed shock over the postponement of the Saturday Presidential/National Assembly elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, announced the postponement of the election till February 23 and those of Governorship and State Assembly till March 9, citing logistic problem.

Osasuyi Efe, a yam seller Oba Market, said that the postponement of the elections had badly affected his business.

Efe told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Saturday that but for the election he would traveled to the north to buy yams.

“I am disappointed; INEC should have done this a week before now.

Just look at my shop. I was not supposed to open my shop today but immediately I heard of the postponed of the elections I ran to open.

“By next week everything will be on stand still again because of the same election,” he said.

A tomato seller at Uselu Market, Adesuwa Iyie, said majority of her colleagues did not stock tomatoes the previous week because of the election.

“I did not buy because I felt I would not be able to sell them. There are no seed tomatoes in the market right now,” she said.

Mrs Theresa Igbinosa, a food vendor at Western Boys High school in Ikpoba-Okha Ward 2 said she spent about N50,000 to prepare the food she wanted to sell to voters at the ward.

Igbinosa said, “I am not only sad but very angry. I spent so much money and woke up as early as 2am to prepare this food. I have not even slept at all.

“My problem now is what to do with the food. Nobody is here to sell the food to and I am so confused right now.

“I even borrowed the money from my neighbour with a promise to pay back after sales,” she narrated.

She said INEC was not fair to Nigerians, adding, “why did they have to wait till this morning to cancel the elections. They could have announced the postponement before today.”

Another food vendor at the ward, Osifo Luck said “there is no hope for the poor in the country.

“Nobody puts you into consideration before making any decision. They just woke up and do whatever that pleases them.

“As you can see for yourself I am looking at my food and the food is looking at me too. There is no buyer; the school is empty and those that came have left.”