Traders in the country have said the political tension and recurring violence in the northern part of the country have continued to impact negatively on their respective businesses.
While calling on Nigerians to desist from violent acts, the traders urged politicians to always see dialogue as a means of resolving disputes.
Speaking on behalf of the traders in Abuja, the President, National Traders and Market Leaders Council of Nigeria, Mrs. Adenike Lawal, appealed to the citizens to give peace a chance.
She said, “Those who are not happy with President Goodluck Jonathan should employ dialogue in resolving their differences rather than being violent. Nigeria has faced series of violence in many parts of the country and this has affected our businesses drastically.
“Another festival is fast approaching and we want it to be peaceful. This is why we are appealing to Nigerians to desist from activities that will mar celebrations during the festive period.”
Lawal said many traders had been caught unawares in the violence wrecked by the Boko Haram sect in Kano, Borno and Yobe states, stressing that this had led to an unwarranted rise in the prices of foodstuff.
She said, “Many who travelled to these locations to buy rams or cows have been killed and that is why the prices of these commodities are rising virtually everyday.
“The tension in Nigeria’s political space and violence in some parts of the North are making traders afraid nowadays. This, as you know, is not good for our country.”
The council president said there had been increased fear among traders as they were afraid of going out to purchase goods.
She added, “Many times when we ask our colleagues in other parts of the country to come to Abuja or some states around this region to buy goods, they refuse. Their reason is because they don’t want to be victims of political, religious or ethnic violence.”