FG, APC donate N8b to victims of Kano Singer Market fire outbreak
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has adopted a 60:40 leadership formula between the Governor Abba Yusuf-led defectors and the existing party structure in Kano State.
  
To alleviate the suffering of traders in the Singer Market in Kano, the Federal Government and the APC donated N8 billion to those affected by the devastating inferno that razed parts of the market.
  
The political leadership sharing formula follows Yusuf’s defection from the Kwankwasiyya faction of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling party, prompting realignment of the party structure.
 
Affirming the new power-sharing formula, National Chairman of APC, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, hinted that the new arrangement was designed to promote inclusiveness, unity and effective participation of all stakeholders in party and governance activities.
 
Yilwatda specifically posited that the Governor Yusuf-led Kwankwasiyya defectors would get 60 per cent, while the existing APC power blocs would retain 40 per cent. 
 
The APC boss spoke when he paid his first official courtesy visit to Governor Yusuf at the Kano Government House, where he articulated the need for unity and inclusiveness in Kano APC.  
 
At the meeting attended by former APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, and other critical party stakeholders, Yilwatda expressed satisfaction with the impressive turnout of party supporters for Yusuf.
 
According to the APC National Chairman, the strong gathering was a positive signal that would help bolster support for President Bola Tinubu and strengthen his prospects in the coming general elections.
 
In his response, Governor Yusuf applauded the APC leadership for the acceptance and continued support for unity and peace in Kano. 

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who was in Kano, accompanied by the governors of Jigawa, Kebbi, and Imo states, disclosed the N5 billion donation while the APC contributed to the remaining N3 billion during a sympathy visit to the market yesterday.
 
The visit followed last week’s fire outbreak, which destroyed goods and properties worth billions of naira, leaving about a thousand traders in distress.
 
Seven people, mostly traders, were declared missing following the sudden fire outbreak at the popular market.
 
The Federal Government’s donation yesterday came as a huge relief to the affected traders who now hope to begin a new life.
 
Describing the incident as a national tragedy, Shettima said the inferno was not only a loss to Kano but to the entire country.
 
He offered prayers for the victims and prayed God to prevent a recurrence of such disasters in the future.
 
Yilwatda commended the governor for what he termed a “right decision,” pledging the party’s support for continued infrastructural and socio-economic development in Kano. 
 
Chairman of the Singer Market Traders Association, Junaid Zakari, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the “timely and generous gesture”.
 
He pledged that the funds would be used judiciously to support affected members and help restore business activities in the market.