Funtua market inferno is campaign tool for politicians
Stories from MU’AWUYA B. IDRIS, Katsina

POLITICIANS in Katsina state seeking political offices in 2007 elections are now using the recent fire incidence at Funtua Central Marker as their campaign tool.
Our correspondent learnt that since the outbreak of the fire incident, politicians in the state have continued to visit the market to deliver political lecturers and dole out money to the affected traders.
The political campaign at the burnt marker was first opened by PDP gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Shehu Shema and some other politicians from different political parties followed suit.
Daily Triumph checks revealed that Shema stormed the market with about 20 buses carrying his supporters and posters to the affected traders.
During his visit, he announced a donation of N2million to the victims and sympathized with them.
The visit of Shema campaign team opened the gate for ANPP gubernatorial candidates and other politicians.
Our correspondent reports that ANPP gubernatorial candidate, Engr. Nura Khalil also stormed the market with his supporters and donated N500,000 to the victims.
Also, Senator Abu Ibrahim who may be considered as consensus gubernatorial candidate to be picked by Katsina Forum made a donation of N1 million to the traders.
Daily Triumph gathered further that Katsina state government also led by the acting governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Garba Aminchi was not left out as he went on a sympathy visit where the supporters of PDP used the opportunity to campaign for their presidential candidate, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua as posters and stickers were distributed at the market.
Alhaji Aminchi told the traders that Alhaji Yar’adua is touched with recent fire incident, adding, government will soon come to their aid.
He pledged that the market will be reconstructed and equipped with modern fire fighting gadgets.