The 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party, Peter Obi on Wednesday, led members and supporters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on a campaign tour within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

With the FCT council elections slated to hold on February 21, Obi, who recently defected from the Labour Party to the ADC, visited the popular Kugbo furniture market, which was recently affected by a fire outbreak.

The election will take place in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abaji, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali – the six area councils across the FCT.

According to Obi, he was in Kugbo in solidarity with the traders who suffered devastating losses running into millions of naira following a recent fire incident.

He wrote on X, “At a time when many Nigerians are grappling with deepening hardship and poverty, such losses are especially painful. The traders shared their experiences and the circumstances surrounding the incident, and I appreciated their resilience and warm reception. I reassured them that, despite the setback, they will recover and thrive again with the right support.

“This incident once again underscores my consistent call for a comprehensive reform of our emergency response systems. A nation that truly cares for its people must invest in efficient, well-coordinated emergency services that respond promptly and effectively to crises, saving lives and livelihoods,” Obi noted.

The former Anambra State governor visited the market alongside Moses Paul, the chairmanship candidate for the ADC in the Abuja Municipal Area Council poll.

Obi said the team used the opportunity to strengthen engagement ahead of the election

“We must work towards a Nigeria where preventable tragedies are prevented, and where institutions function as they should for the benefit of all,” he added.