During the Osun governorship election held on Saturday, petty traders in Ede and surrounding areas experienced a significant boost in sales, which they attributed to the large number of voters turning out to cast their ballots. Many traders reported that the election day provided an unexpected opportunity for increased patronage, with some expressing a desire for similar events to occur more frequently.

Mrs. Toyin Aina, who sells bean cakes and bread, shared her experience, stating that her earnings from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. surpassed what she typically makes in an entire week. "This is an awesome experience and I must thank God that this election came on a date my children had vacated for the long vacation," she said. Aina noted the overwhelming number of customers who visited her shop, highlighting the rewarding nature of her sales on that day.

Another trader, Ms. Kudirat Adeleke, took advantage of the bustling environment by moving between polling units to sell carbonated drinks and bottled water. She expressed satisfaction with her sales, stating that she had already met her target for the day and planned to take a break after her successful sales.

The election also benefited Point-of-Sale (POS) operators, such as Mr. Abdullateef Adebayo, who reported good patronage while providing cash withdrawal services to voters. "I have made good business giving customers money either through cash or transfer since I came out. To be sincere, the turnout has been encouraging because not many POS operators dared to come out today, and that provided a nice opportunity for me," Adebayo remarked.

Food vendor Mrs. Bukola Olaoye also expressed her gratitude for the increased patronage, hoping for a peaceful conclusion to the election. She urged political actors involved in the election to accept the results and ensure that the process remained credible and peaceful.

Voters welcomed the presence of these traders at polling units, appreciating the chance to purchase food and drinks while waiting to vote. The election, which took place across all 30 Local Government Areas of Osun State, saw varying reports of voter turnout, with some communities experiencing delays while others commenced voting early. As of the time of reporting, voting was still ongoing in several locations, contributing to the lively atmosphere around polling units.