On Thursday, Edo State Market Women Association members demonstrated in the streets against the purported attempt to impose Pastor Josephine Ebhaguejezele as Edo Market’s Iyaloja.
The demonstrators, led by Blacky Ogiamen, the Chairman of the Edo State Market Women Association, rejected Chief Folasade Tinubu Ojo, the Iyaloja of Lagos, who was planning to impose leadership.

She cautioned that the position of market women leadership in the state is not political, pointing out that she is the legitimate head of the Edo State Market Women Association.

“We are saying no to the illegal inauguration of Edo State’s Iyaloja,” she declared. The State Market Women Association is governed by law.

“We are the real market women in Edo State, and I am the association’s leader,” she declared. This organization has existed for a number of years, from Oba Akenzua’s rule until the current Oba of Benin.Should a leader pass away, the deputy will assume command. There has been harmony in this association in Edo State ever since Oba Erediauwa summoned us to the palace and declared, “I should lead the market women in Edo State.”

“We don’t work in politics. We cast ballots. Any ruling government has our backing. We backed Comrade Adams Oshiomhole the entire time he served as governor. We backed Chief John Odigie Oyegun, Lucky Igbinedion, and the current administration. We have been managing the affairs in this way without any crises.

“We heard about a week ago that they want to install another President of the Edo State Market Women Association,” the woman continued. Our patron is the governor, but our grand patron is the oba of Benin. “Only death can remove any leader of the Market Women Association in Edo State,” according to our constitution. It isn’t related to politics.

The coordinators, who represent the State’s eighteen local government districts, expressed their continued support for Blacky Ogiamen’s leadership and gave him a vote of confidence.