Benin, Nigeria – President of the Edo State Market Women Association (ESMWA), Madam Blacky Ogiamen, has denied receiving the sum of two hundred million Naira (N200,000,000) from the administration of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, as governor of the state in 2013.
Madam Ogiamen who made the refutal while addressing journalists at the popular Ekiosa Market in Benin, the Edo State Capital, also denied any involvement in the burning of a section of the market,
The ESMWA President, who was flanked by members from across the three Senatorial Districts in Edo, accused Senator Oshiomhole of tarnishing her high reputation by spreading falsehood against her.
She claimed that the former governor recently, in an All Progressives Congress’ (APC) governorship campaign rally in Benin, told some people, including Ekiosa market women, that his administration gave her N200 million for the ESMWA.
Madam Ogiamen argued that the former governor, in 2013, only donated the sum of N100,000,000 to the association during its end-of-the-year party.
She maintained that the said money (N100,000,000) was promptly and orderly shared amongst members who attended the party and wondered why the former governor is hell-bent on allegedly tarnishing her image because of politics.
She said: “In 2013, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, being our patron, donated the money to the Association, not to Madam Blacky Ogiamen, during the party.
“The money was paid into the association’s Zenith Bank account and not into my personal account. The leader of the committee that shared the money was the Late Madam Atiti Awerioba. while Late Grace Erhabor and Madam Alice Omogui Osague, then leaders of Uhunmwande and Ikpoba-Okha, respectively, distributed same to their members in their areas.
“He (Oshiomhole) came to Ekiosa market and told the traders that he gave Madam Blacky N200,000,000 on behalf of the Edo State market women and added that I was the one that sent boys to set fire on the market.”
Confirming the position of Madam Ogiamen, market leaders in Ikpoba-Okha, Esan West, Ovia South-West and Ovia North-East, Madam Alice Agbonlahor, Madam Clara Odionkhere, Deaconess Elizabeth Osabuohien Madam Roseline Awevbose and the Special Adviser to the Association, Madam Christina Omokaro, sternly refuted the allegations.agsinst their president.
According to Madam Agbonlahor, “The money was shared among all members that attended the end-of-year party from the 18 local government areas of Edo.”
