The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Sharafadeen Alli, has donated ₦25 million to traders whose businesses were destroyed by a recent fire outbreak at the popular Bode Market in Ibadan South West Local Government Area.
Alli announced the donation on Friday during a condolence visit to the market, where he sympathised with traders who suffered significant losses as a result of the incident.
The APC flagbearer was received by the market leadership, including the Babaloja, Salau Oloya, and the Iyaloja, Sikira Alaja, alongside other traders.
Expressing his sympathy to the affected business owners, Alli assured them that the APC would continue to stand with the people during periods of hardship and provide support whenever the need arises.
PUNCH Online reports that the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Bimbo Adekanmbi, had earlier donated ₦2.5 million as intervention support to traders affected by the inferno.
Alli, who currently represents Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly under the APC, said the donation reflected 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. The donation of N25 million to the affected traders is to show our commitment to the people’s welfare.
“APC remains committed to restoring hope to the people of Oyo through responsible leadership, responsive governance and strategic interventions aimed at improving livelihoods,” he said.
In addition to Alli’s donation, the APC Women Leader in Oyo State, Adekemi Opatunde, presented ₦5 million and 15,000 nose masks to assist the victims and promote improved safety measures within the market.
The gesture was warmly received by traders, particularly female business owners, who described the support as timely and encouraging during a period of immense financial hardship.
The fire, which occurred in the early hours of the day, reportedly destroyed numerous shops and goods valued at several millions of naira, particularly within the herbal products section of the market.
An eyewitness identified simply as Serifat said the inferno caused extensive destruction, leaving many traders devastated.
“The blaze caused extensive damage, leaving many traders counting their losses. We have not known the cause of this fire incident,” she said.
Bode Market is regarded as one of the largest commercial centres in Ibadan, attracting traders from across the South-West and other parts of Nigeria.
The market is especially recognised as a major hub for the sale of herbs, animal skins and various traditional products.
The latest incident has revived memories of a similar fire disaster that occurred in September 2024 at the herbal section of Oranyan Market in Ibadan North East Local Government Area.
Although no lives were lost in that incident, more than 40 shops were completely destroyed, with goods worth millions of naira consumed by the fire.
Some of the affected traders, including the market youth leader, Fatimoh Adebimpe, as well as Kafaya Lucky and Kehinde Moronfade, said the cause of the previous fire was never established.
Adebimpe, who has traded in the market since 1979, recalled that traders had already closed for the day when the fire broke out.
“We normally resume here around 7.00 am and close by 7.00 pm as well. Whenever they ring the bell or you hear the sound of the bell in the evening, you must take your leave.
“So, some of us were already at our different homes when those leaving close to the market started calling us around 10.00pm that the market was on fire,” she said.
