Business in Lagos take risk measures against election violence

Following threats of violence on non indigenes in some areas of Lagos Island over their preferred candidates in tomorrow’s polls, businesses in the areas have started taking precautions to prevent attacks from people believed to be behind the viral voice notes alleged to have been recorded during a meeting at the palace of a traditional ruler.

In response, banks and big businesses in Lagos are declaring political neutrality to reduce the risk of being targeted in possible post election violence. And heightened fears continue to drive pressure on people to stock up domestic provisions even in the face of the acute cash draught in the market.

Apprehension also mounts from declared readiness of the supporters of both Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) to stand against any intimidation or attacks on voters in their strongholds.

The preparations to defend voters that are not in support of the ruling party followed attacks on the supporters of the Labour Party during the its recent massive procession  to the Tafawa Balewa Square venue of its grand rally in Lagos State.

Video clips, voice recordings and photographs of attackers and their sponsors had gone viral during the LP presidential rally in Lagos, eliciting calls by the party’s supporters for provision of adequate security on the February 25 election day.

In some of the photos posted on Instagram, Tweeter and facebook, victims showed injuries to body and vandalism to vehicles as thugs alleged to have been mobilized by the some political party in the state to attack and possibly disperse the LP campaign train.

In a voice recording said to have been made at a meeting at the palace of a traditional ruler in the Lagos Island, party chieftains had threatened to shut businesses belonging to residents who would not vote the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC). The speaker in the voice note who is said to be a legislator in the state had declared that they were under instruction to demand photo shot of the ballot papers from residents to prove their compliance to the directive.

Since the voice threat on residents rent the air, outrage has continued to pour against those behind the plan, raising strong counter plans by some opposition parties most of which called on government to deploy the full strength of security forces to guarantee free, fair and safe suffrage to Lagos voters.

While residents continue to pledge defiance to any form of intimidation, businesses are taking risk mitigation measures, distancing from any form of political affiliation should clashes erupt during the polls.

Expectedly banks closed early on Friday and called off Saturday banking tradition without offering any major reasons, advising their customers resort to other means of running their transactions.

“Kindly be informed that our branches nationwide will close to customers earlier than usual on Friday, 24 February 2023 by 1:00 pm,” First Bank told customers in widely circulated electronic messages.

Stanbic IBTC made it clear to customers that all its channels and services are on shut down till after the elections.

“Please be informed that our branches will close by 1pm on Friday, 24 February 2023. Our Customer Contact Center will also not be available on Saturday, 25 February and Sunday, 26 February 2023 because of the scheduled elections. Kindly use our alternative channels to carry out transactions this weekend,” the bank mailed its customers.

Customers of Union Bank were “informed that our branches will close by 1:00 pm on Friday, 24 February 2023. Our always-on alternative channels (UnionMobile, *826#, UnionOnline, UnionDirect Agents) will be available 24/7 for all your banking needs.”

The bank also told customers that “our ATMs and envelope deposit points are also available 24/7 for cash withdrawals and deposits. You can also use the self-service option for your transactions or speak with one of our agents about your banking needs.”

With the traditional Saturday banking denied Lagosians and only electronic channels available to customers, the risk of e-fraud heightens. And the banks warn customers against sharing personal transaction codes with unauthorized persons.

“Union Bank will never ask you for your PIN, Passwords, OTP, BVN, NIN, or ATM card details (the numbers on the front and at the back of your card),” the bank stated in a similar mail with other banks.

However, banks are not the only institutions in Lagos taking precautions against election violence. Large grocery stores and other businesses continue to display messages declaring political neutrality.

In one of the grocery malls, the operators declared in large flex prints that the ownership of the business is not politically affiliated; urging people not to associated the shop with any political party.

The managers advised the public on the ownership of the business declaring that “they are businessmen striving to serve you better.”

In another mall, a mega retail chain simply advised visitors that “we are not in politics.”

Meanwhile, The Oracle Today reports that fear of violence in tomorrow’s election is driving large sales in most of the shops where customers can transact without physical cash. And with the crippling cash drought in the economy, people fear that the worst might still come if there is violence after the elections.