APC National convention: Delegates gather to ratify President Buhari’s candidacy; Security tight; Traders, hawkers, storm Eagle Square; As NWC clears eight for Kwara guber primaries

 Eagle Square Abuja, venue of the Convention, is already agog with business activities as traders and hawkers display their wares around the facility.

Eagle Square is located around the Federal Secretariat, the Central Area of Abuja, popularly called the Three Arms Zone.

Although the convention was supposed to commence by 2 p.m., it was however shifted to 6 p.m. to enable delegates from states who had just concluded their various primaries to participate in the programme.

Security is tight in and around the Eagle Square, Abuja, as the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gets underway.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all roads leading to the venue have been shut to vehicular traffic by combined teams of heavily armed security personnel.

Some traders who spoke to NAN said they arrived at the venue of the event the previous day.

Mrs Aisha Idris who sells clothing materials, said she came from Kaduna to transact her business.

”I came to Abuja yesterday because I live in Kaduna with my family and I see the convention as an opportunity to sell my goods to the delegates and any other interested buyer,” Idris said.

She, however, complained that the sales had not been encouraging.

The story was, however, different with Mr Chinedu Eze who sells shoes and sandals.

Eze said he came to the venue since Friday but thanked God for his sales, so far.

”I came from Lafia, Nasarawa State, and I sell shoes with prices ranging from N1, 500, N2, 000, and above. And I thank God that I have been able to make some sales,” he said.

A food vendor, Miss Doris Akpan, was also happy that the convention was holding.

Akpan, who sells rice, beans and other delicacies, said she was almost through with the sales.

”I came from Suleja, Niger, as early as 6:45 a.m. and I thank God that my food remains just little to finish,” she said.

The story is the same with Mohammed Salihu who hawks phone accessories but lives at Nyanya.

He said he was able to make use of the convention to make a brisk business.

NAN reports that the APC convention is taking place after series of events which began with the state congresses to elect delegates for the convention.