Aggrieved members of the Edo State Market Women Association and Traders Welfare Union have moved against the association’s leadership after accusations of corruption against its president, Blacky Ogiamien.
The members demanded Ogiamien’s sack during a peaceful protest to Oba Palace in Benin City where they displayed placards, reflecting their concerns.
The protesters also sang songs of courage that gave voice to their worries, condemning ‘evil Union in markets’ which they allege is behind increase in price of foodstuffs across markets in the state.
Spokesman for the Edo Traders Welfare Union, Comrade Lucky Orukpe, called for the immediate removal of Edo Market Women Association leaders, citing alleged highhandedness and failure to account for the association’s finances.
Orukpe alleged that the funds include the sum of N100,000,000.00 donated to the association by Senator Adams Oshiomhole in his capacity as governor of the State years ago, which the leader has yet to account for having found out the truth behind Ogiamien’s intrigues.
Another leader in one of the markets, Mrs Patience Asuen, passed a ‘no confidence vote’ on the leadership of the unions, seeking the intervention of the paramount traditional ruler in the state.
Speaking on behalf of the Benin Palace Chiefs led by Chief Isaac Oghafua Oyeoba, the Oyeoba of Benin, assured the peaceful protesters that the Oba of Benin, who is the life Patron of the Union, will ensure that justice is served.
To prove her innocence, Blacky Ogiamien, previously, led a procession of traditional worshippers in Benin and swore loudly at some shrines, dedicated to the worship of deities and asked ancestral spirits to bear witness over the allegations levelled against her, insisting that she has nothing to hide despite conspiracy theorists bent on blackmailing her.
When contacted, Madam Ogiamen denied the allegation saying that the allegation was politically motivated and that the money was paid into the account of the association and it was disbursed to all that were supposed to get it and that Orukpe is not a member of their association.
“All of us are voters and any sitting governor is our patron or father. These people are doing this because they claim we are supporting Obaseki, he is our patron so we must support him. This new governor that we have, once he is sworn in, he will become our patron and we will support him till he leaves office.”
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