Oyo APC gov candidate redeems N25m pledge to Ibadan market traders

The Governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Sharafadeen Alli, on Monday redeemed his N25 million pledge to traders affected by a fire incident at Bode Market, reaffirming his commitment to grassroots economic development and traders’ welfare.

Alli, who is currently representing Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, presented the cheque to the traders led by the Iyaloja of Bode Market, Sikiratu Makinde, at the market in Ibadan South West Local Government Area of the state.

Alli, who was represented by an APC chieftain in the state, Shina Alabi, said, “I remain committed to supporting small businesses and improving the livelihoods of traders across the state.

“This gesture is a demonstration of my sincerity, compassion and unwavering dedication to the welfare of ordinary citizens.

“I recognise the vital role market men and women play in sustaining the state’s economy,” adding that greater opportunities awaited traders under an APC-led administration.

The presentation was witnessed by the APC Deputy National Auditor, Gbenga Olayemi, and Tunji Olanipekun, who commended the traders for their support and confidence in the party.

Receiving the cheque on behalf of the traders, the Iyaloja of Bode Market, Makinde, expressed appreciation to Alli for fulfilling his promise.

She described the gesture as “timely and impactful,” assuring the APC governorship candidate of the traders’ continued support and prayers.

The PUNCH reports that an early morning inferno on Friday, July 3, 2026, razed parts of the market, destroying many shops and goods worth millions of naira.

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An eyewitness, simply identified as Serifat, said, “The blaze caused extensive damage, leaving many traders counting their losses. We have not known the cause of this fire incident.”

Bode Market is one of the largest markets in Ibadan metropolis, and is widely known as a major trading hub for herbs, animal skins and other traditional products.

‎It serves traders from across the South-West and other parts of Nigeria.

It will also be recalled that a similar incident in September 2024 completely razed over 40 shops at a popular Oranyan market herbal section in the Ibadan North East Local Government Area of the state.

Though no life was lost, the incident destroyed multimillion-naira worth of property and herbs.

Some of the victims, Fatimoh Adebimpe (the market youth leader); Kafaya Lucky and Kehinde Moronfade, lamented that the cause of the fire incident was still unknown as no single food vendor was in the market.

The youth leader, Adebimpe, who said she had been in the market since 1979, lamented, “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 10.0pm that the market was on fire.”