With just few hours to the governorship election in Kogi State, hotel reservations in Lokoja, the state capital, are fully booked.
Our correspondents gathered that most of the hotel rooms have been booked months in advance.
A visit to some of the hotels in the city on Thursday, November 9, showed that there were no vacant rooms despite that most of the rooms are not yet occupied by those who booked them.
Some of the Hotels visited include Royal Roftana, Idrianana Hotel on Idrinana Close, Lokongoma Phase II, Lokoja, Suitoria Hotel, Zone 8 Road, beside New Stadium, Twins Palace Hotel, Hon. Yusus Avenue and Lily Grand Hotel, Lokogoma Phase 2.
They were all booked.
A worker at Royal Roftana told PM News that the rooms were booked in advance by politicians.
With the development, journalists, security agents, election observers who did to book months ahead had to find alternatives by moving to outskirt of Lokoja. And even the major hotels in the outskirt of the city were still all booked.
PM News correspondents had to lodge at the only available room in a Christian guest house (Rada-C) at a place called Down Zango by Transformer.
Investigation also showed that the prices of hotel rooms both in rural areas and cities have increased due to an influx of guests from other states for the election.
Aside from hotels, the market places were also filled. Many residents of Kogi state were seen buying enough foodstuff that could last them till Monday.
Queues were also observed at many petrol stations in Lokoja.
A resident of Lokoja who spoke to PM News noted that the last minute rush to buy foodstuff and other things were necessary as many people plan to stay indoor till the results are announced with no violence.
The driver who identified himself as Isa said he plans to vote but he must be sure that the environment is safe before leaving his house.
He however urged the Kogi State Government, INEC and the Federal Government to ensure that the election is conducted with no violence.
Despite the show of force by security personnel, another Lokoja resident Haruna revealed that he will not vote because he is not sure his vote will count.
Haruna failed to revealed his preferred candidate but noted that he will not vote for the ruling APC for reasons he kept to himself.
Meanwhile, a trader who identified himself as Mr. Ibrahim Bello stated that he will be leading his friends and family to his polling unit tomorrow.
Bello noted that he will be voting APC because Governor Yahaya Bello did well in terms of security and infrastructure.
He added that the governor also did well in providing good medical facility.
credit: PM News
