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The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged stronger emergency response systems following a fire at Ede Plaza in Jabi Market, Abuja.
Obi, in a statement posted on X on Sunday, expressed sympathy with traders, artisans, workers, families and business owners whose goods and investments were affected by the fire.
“I am deeply saddened by the fire outbreak at Ede Plaza in Jabi Market, Abuja, beside Sandralia Hotel, in the early hours of today,” Obi said.
He said the losses suffered by traders went beyond damaged merchandise, describing them as the product of years of savings, borrowing and sacrifice.
“For many of them, what has been lost is not simply merchandise; it represents years of savings, borrowing, sacrifice, hope and the determination to build a better life,” he said.
Obi warned that recurring market fires could have wider economic consequences, particularly for small businesses and the families that depend on them.
“Each time this happens, we gradually lose our productive capacity,” he added.
Obi described small businesses as “the backbone of our economy” and said the impact of losing a shop could extend beyond the affected trader.
“When a trader loses a shop, we should understand that a family may lose its income, children may lose educational opportunities, workers may lose their jobs, and an entire community may suffer economic instability,” he said.
Obi said the incident should prompt authorities to strengthen emergency-response infrastructure rather than wait for another disaster to act.
He also called for stronger protection for small businesses and safer conditions for economic activity in the capital and across the country.
“We must protect our small businesses and ensure that Abuja, and indeed Nigeria, becomes a safer place to live, work and invest,” he said.
Obi prayed for those affected by the fire and for the emergency responders involved in dealing with the incident.
His comments came after a fire destroyed several shops and goods at a building materials market in Jabi in the early hours of Sunday.
Fire service officials said no casualties were recorded and that the cause of the blaze had not yet been established.
I am deeply saddened by the fire outbreak at Ede Plaza in Jabi Market, Abuja, beside Sandralia Hotel, in the early hours of today.
My heart goes out to the traders, artisans, workers, families and business owners whose goods, investments and livelihoods may have been affected by… pic.twitter.com/qngpGM8KJp
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) August 30, 2026
