General
Between Oshiomhole and Edo Market Leader, Blacky Ogiamen
Tensions are mounting between prominent figures in Edo State just as the APC is about to assume control of the State government.
Notably is the allegations and counterclaim between Madam Blacky Ogiamen, President of the Edo State Market Women Association (ESMWA), and former governor Adams Oshiomhole.
At the center of this controversy are accusations of fund mismanagement, reputational damage, political maneuvering, and the struggle for control over market leadership.
How It All Began
The dispute began during the recent gubernatorial campaign in Edo State.
Speaking at an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in the market, Adams Oshiomhole made a public claim that his administration had provided ₦200 million to Madam Blacky Ogiamen for the benefit of market women in Edo State.
He insinuated that the fund was meant to support and empower market traders, and by that, implied that the money had been mismanaged or misused.
Oshiomhole’s statement came off as an attempt to create a narrative of dishonesty around Ogiamen, particularly among her followers and the broader market community.
Adams Oshiomhole
Ogiamen’s Response
In response, Madam Blacky Ogiamen categorically denied Oshiomhole’s accusations, referring to him as a liar.
In a statement issued at the Ekiosa Market in Benin, Madam Blacky Ogiamen refuted claims that she received ₦200,000,000 from Oshiomhole.
She stated that she had never received ₦200 million from his administration or any other government source.
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She argued that Oshiomhole’s claims were part of a smear campaign aimed at discrediting her leadership ahead of the election.
Additionally, she dismissed allegations that she incited individuals to set fire to sections of a market.
Instead, Madam Blacky admitted that the former governor contributed ₦100,000,000 to the association for its end-of-year celebration. She clarified that the amount was not intended for her personal benefit.
Madam Blacky Ogiamen, President of the Edo State Market Women Association (ESMWA), with governor Governor Godwin Obaseki.
To confirm her innocence and restore her integrity, Ogiamen took several actions. She organized press conferences where she challenged Oshiomhole to provide evidence of the alleged ₦200 million fund.
In a statement, she said: “In 2013, the governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, being our patron, donated the sum of ₦100,000, 000 to the Edo State Market Women Association during our ends of year party, not Madam Blacky Ogiamen.
“The money was paid into the association’s Zenith Bank account, not into my personal account. The leader of the committee that shared the money was the Late Madam Atiti Awerioba, while the Late Grace Erhabor and Madam Alice Omogui Osague, then leaders of Uhunmwande and Ikpoba-Okha distributed to their members in their areas.
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“He (Oshiomhole) came to Ekiosa market and told the traders that he gave Madam Blacky ₦200,000,000 on behalf of the Edo State market women and added that I was the one that sent boys to set fire on the market.
“So, we are here this morning to swear if actually what he said about me is true and if not through, this juju should go after anybody that is lying against me.
Madam Blacky Ogiamen (in blue) together with some market leaders
Ogiamen also invited independent auditors and media personnel to review her financial dealings, stating that her administration had always operated transparently in the interest of market women.
Additionally, Ogiamen encouraged the APC leadership to investigate the matter if they had any doubts about her honesty.
Ogiamen’s legal team also hinted at potential lawsuits for defamation, asserting that Oshiomhole’s falsehoods had severely damaged her esteemed reputation, which she had built over decades of service to market women in Edo State.
“He wants to tarnish my name because of politics, I did not burn any market nor send am anybody to do so”, she stated.
Attending the press conference were other leaders of the market women associations from Ikpoba/Okha, Esan West, Ovia South-West, and Ovia North-East, were. They all endorsed Madam Blacky’s story.
They confirmed that the money was divided among all members during the end of the year party, which included representatives from each of the state’s eighteen local government areas.
Ogiamen’s opposition to FolashadeTinubu’s Imposition of Market Leader
Recall that in August, the Edo State Market Women Association led by Blacky Ogiamen took to the streets, to protest the alleged planned imposition of a market leader by the Iyaloja of Lagos, Chief Folasade Tinubu Ojo.
Blacky Ogiamen, who led the protesters, rejected the planned leadership imposition by the President Tinubu’s daughter.
She noted that she is the authentic chairman of the Market Women Association in Edo State, warning that the position of market women leadership in the state is not political.
She stated, “We are saying no to the illegal inauguration of Iyaloja of Edo State. There is a law guiding the State Market Women Association.”
According to her, “We are the authentic market women in Edo State and the association is led by me. This association has been in existence for several decades, right from the reign of Oba Akenzua till the present Oba of Benin.
Protest Against Ogiamen
On Tuesday, members of the Edo State Market Women’s Association and Traders Welfare Union demanded the sack of the Blacky Ogiamien-led leadership of the union.
Members of the association made the demand during a peaceful protest at the Palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.
The group accused the president of the Edo State Market Women’s Association of corruption.
The group called on Blacky Ogiemien to give account of the N100 million allegedly given to the association in 2013 by Adams Oshiomhole, the former governor of the state.
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The protesting market women armed with placards of various inscriptions alleged that the market unions are responsible for the increase in the price of foodstuffs across markets in the State.
Comrade Lucky Orukpe, the Spokesman for the Edo Traders Welfare Union, argued for the immediate removal of Edo Market Women Association leaders, The protest is over alleged high-handedness and failure to account for the finances of the association.
Orukpe also alleged that the funds include the N100 million donated to the association by Senator Adams Oshiomhole during his tenure as the governor of the state.