BENIN – The Edo State Market Women Association on Thursday vowed that they will continue to resist and reject any attempt to impose a new market leader ( Iyeki) on the association in the state.
This is coming against the background of a recent rumour that the Folashade Tinubu, daughter of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, is planning to impose another head of market women association in Edo state.
Speaking to journalists during the association’s thank-you- visit to the Palace of the Oba of Benin, President of the Association, Madam Blacky Ogiamen, said that they were at the palace to express their appreciation to the Oba for prevailing on the alleged plan introduction of another “Iyeki’ in Edo.
She said: “We came to say thank you to our royal father and grand patron, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba Benin for his intervention that led to the stoppage of the planned imposition of another market women leader (‘Iyeki’) in Edo by Folashade Tinubu, the daughter of Mr. president.
“About three weeks ago, we heard that Folashade Tinubu wanted to impose another leader of the market women in Edo, and we cried to our Oba because he is the grand patron of our association.
“We equally cried to the Edo State Government that we will not allowed such plan to materialise in Edo State because she has Lagos state and I, Blacky is in charge of market women in Edo State. So we are here to say thank you to His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II”.
Speaking on the recent viral video of alleged protest by traders of Oba Market in Benin City, Princes Rose Osagie, Iyeneki, (leader) of Oba Market women association and Madam Bello Esohe, deputy leader, Oredo Market Women Association, distanced their members from the video.
They maintained that the alleged viral video was the handiwork of mischief-makers who according to them want to score some political points against the Edo State Government.
According to Madam Ruth Ero, Deaconess Elizabeth Osabuohien, Ovia South-West Market Women Association leader and lady Queen Oshodin, the news is not true rather it was the handiwork of some desperate politicians who want to pitch our market women against the state government.
“We are not aware of that video as it never emanated from Oba Market and we the Oba Market women association did not at any time protest against Governor Godwin Obaseki”, lady Oshodin.
Receiving the market women on behalf of the Oba, Chief Osaro Idah, the Obazelu of Benin, promised to take their message to the monarch, just as he admonished them to pray against spoilers of the state.
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