It was a carnival-like situation in the surroundings of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, venue of the All Progressives Congress National Convention, on Wednesdayas party supporters danced and sang in praise their preferred presidential aspirants.
No fewer than 8,000 delegates are taking part in the convention, which is expected to produce the party’s presidential candidate in the 2015 elections.
Supporters, who arrived the environs of the stadium early, danced and displayed colourful banners of their preferred aspirants on the Funsho Williams Avenue, to the admiration of many.
As they sang, food vendors also made brisk business, while traders selling various items with APC logo and also brooms, smiled away.
Eunice Nkwocha,a trader, told NAN that she had sold about 40 brooms as at 1pm,saying business had been good.
Nkwocha said: “Business has been good.
“The 40 is the average I sell in two months.
“Now the delegates keep demanding for more.
“I wish they hold this primary every day.”
Another trader, Uche Akano, said his stock of branded APC caps had already been exhausted and that he ordered for more.
Akano said: “I have sold everything I brought in the morning.
“I have ordered for more.
“Patronage has been overwhelming.”
On her part, Iyabo Kalejaiye said she had enjoyed good patronage as she increased the price of her brooms from N100 to N200.
Kalejaiye said: “Business has been good here today.
“I have made triple the sales I make normally from my brooms.
“I thank God for today.”
Yetunde Alli, a trader who sells table water and soft drinks, also said that she had also made a lot of profit by selling N50 bottle water at the rate of N100.
Security at the venue was very tight as armed policemen and other law enforcement agents manned the area.
No fewer than two Armoured Personnel Carriers were seen stationed at the gate as soldiers were all around the venue.
As as 1pm, delegates from the 36 states of the federation, including the FCT, were still awaiting accreditation.
Five aspirants, including former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State are vying for the presidential ticket of the party.
Others contesting are Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and the Publisher of Leadership Newspapers, Sam Nda-Isaiah.