APC governorship candidate donates N25m to Oyo market fire victims

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Sharafadeen Alli, has donated N25 million to traders affected by the recent fire outbreak at the popular Bode Market in Ibadan South West Local Government Area.

Alli announced the donation on Friday during a sympathy visit to the market, where he commiserated with traders who lost shops and goods in the inferno. He was received by the market’s Babaloja, Salau Oloya, and Iyaloja, Sikira Alaja, alongside other traders.

The APC governorship candidate, who currently represents Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, said the donation was aimed at easing the hardship faced by the victims and demonstrating the party’s commitment to the welfare of the people.

“Leadership must go beyond rhetoric and political campaigns. People-oriented governance requires prompt response, empathy and tangible support for citizens in moments of crisis,” Alli said, adding that the intervention reflected the APC’s resolve to restore hope through responsive governance and strategic support.

Also lending support, the Oyo State APC Women Leader, Adekemi Opatunde, donated N5 million and 15,000 nose masks to the affected traders. Her gesture was widely applauded, particularly by women in the market, who described it as timely and encouraging.

Earlier, the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, Bimbo Adekanmbi, had donated N2.5 million to assist the victims.

The fire, which broke out late at night, destroyed several shops and goods worth millions of naira, particularly in the market’s herbal section. The cause of the incident remains unknown.

Bode Market is one of the largest trading centres in Ibadan, serving merchants dealing in herbs, animal skins and other traditional products from across the South-West and beyond. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident, although many traders suffered heavy financial losses.