The presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi has sympathized with traders who losts goods and properties worth millions of naira in the inferno that engulfed Akere Spare Parts Market in Olodi-Apapa, Ajegunle, Lagos early this morning.
An eyewitness reports that some thugs belonging to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had invaded the market and set it on fire despite pleas from traders who are mostly of the Igbo extraction.
The attack is not unconnected to ethnic tension ahead of the Saturday 11 governorship and state House of Assembly election.
In his message, Obi called on Lagos State government and relevant authorities to investigate the attack which led to loss of goods and properties.
He wrote:
“This morning, I received the sad news of the fire outbreak at Akere Spare Parts Market in Olodi-Apapa, Ajegunle, Lagos. Hopefully no life was lost, but the means of livelihood and properties, worth millions of naira, lost to the inferno are of great concern to me. I commiserate deeply with all those affected by this fire disaster. I call on the government and relevant authorities to investigate the cause of the fire outbreak thoroughly, and forestall future occurrence, while finding ways to help the affected victims. The need for equal protection under the law; and government’s meeting of her responsibility to protect lives and property cannot be overemphasised. – PO”
Meanwhile, the Labour Party governorship candidate, Mr Gbadebo Rhodes Vivour has a paid a visit to the Akere market to condole with victims of the inferno.
He described the fire outbreak as the handiwork of arsonists and political thugs. He urged the voters in Ajengunle not to be intimidates and donated N15 million to the traders.
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Gbadebo wrote:
“I am on the ground in Akere Market, Ifelodun to assess the damage done by a fire allegedly set by an arsonist & political thugs. This is most unfortunate. Our politics should be about ideas, not violence. Ajegunle people, do not be intimidated. We will rebuild together.”
