Edo Market Women Vow To Resist Tinubu Daughter’s Alleged Move To Impose Market Leader

The Edo State Market Women Association has vowed to oppose any attempts to appoint a new leader, or Iyeki, over the state’s association without their consent. This announcement follows rumors that Folashade Tinubu, the daughter of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, intends to impose a new head for the market women in Edo State.

During a thank-you visit to the Palace of the Oba of Benin, the association’s president, Madam Blacky Ogiamen, expressed gratitude to Oba Ewuare II for his support in thwarting the alleged plan. “We came to thank our royal father and grand patron, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, for his intervention in stopping the planned imposition of another market women’s leader (‘Iyeki’) in Edo by Folashade Tinubu, the daughter of Mr. President,” said Madam Ogiamen.

She recounted that three weeks prior, they were alarmed by reports of Folashade Tinubu’s intentions to appoint a new leader in Edo. In response, the association appealed to both the Oba and the Edo State Government, asserting their determination to prevent any such actions in their state. “We equally cried to the Edo State Government that we will not allow such a plan to materialize 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 thank His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II,” Madam Ogiamen affirmed.

Addressing a recent viral video allegedly depicting protests by traders at Oba Market in Benin City, Princes Rose Osagie, leader of the Oba Market women association, and Madam Bello Esohe, deputy leader of the Oredo Market Women Association, refuted the video’s authenticity. They maintained that the footage was the work of mischief-makers aiming to tarnish the Edo State Government’s reputation.

Leaders like Madam Ruth Ero, Deaconess Elizabeth Osabuohien of the Ovia South-West Market Women Association, and Lady Queen Oshodin also denounced the video, describing it as the creation of desperate politicians seeking to sow discord among the market women and the state government. “We are not aware of that video as it never emanated from Oba Market, and we, the Oba Market women’s association, did not at any time protest against Governor Godwin Obaseki,” clarified Oshodin.

Chief Osaro Idah, the Obazelu of Benin, received the market women on behalf of the Oba and pledged to convey their message to the monarch. He encouraged the women to remain vigilant and pray against those who seek to destabilize the state.