PRESIDENTIAL candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 elections, Adewole Adebayo, has expressed sympathy with the government and people of Kano State following the tragic fire outbreak at Singer Market in the state, which destroyed property worth millions of naira and reportedly claimed several lives.
 In a statement, Adebayo described the fire incident as unfortunate and deeply saddening, noting the strategic economic importance of Kano to Nigeria and the wider Sahel region.
 
“We all know how important the city of Kano is to Nigeria and the entire Sahel. Any incident of this magnitude is not just a loss to the victims but also to the nation as a whole,” he said.
 The market inferno, which occurred days ago, razed several shops and goods, leaving traders devastated and families in mourning. Eyewitness accounts indicated that the fire spread rapidly through sections of the market, making it difficult for many traders to salvage their wares.
 Adebayo lamented the recurring cases of market fires across the country, stating that their frequency raises serious concerns about the adequacy of fire-prevention infrastructure nationwide.
 
“The incessant fire incidents across the country call for us to interrogate the competence of our government in ensuring that fire prevention facilities and arrangements are put in place in all our markets.
“We have had too many of these incidents and too many lives lost for no good reason,” he stated.
 He, however, called on the government to carry out a thorough investigation into the cause of the Singer Market fire and to implement concrete measures to prevent a recurrence.
 
According to him, beyond investigations, authorities must prioritise proper market planning and the installation of essential safety facilities, such as fire hydrants and fire-retardant systems.
 The former presidential candidate also urged Nigerians and people of goodwill to support those affected by the disaster, stressing the need for solidarity in times of crisis.
 
He further urged compensation for victims who lost their goods and for families who lost loved ones in the incident.
“The government should compensate the victims in terms of the fire, human lives, and resources lost. We must take a cue from this incident to ensure that further occurrences do not happen,” he further stated.