President Bola Tinubu’s daughter, Chief Dr. Mujidat Folasade Tinubu-Ojo (FCIML), the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria and the National Market Council of Nigeria, wrote toHis Royal Majesty, Omo N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II, asking the monarch to provide Pastor Isi Ibhaguezejele with the necessary support to succeed in her role as Edo State Iyeki-Elect (Market leader).
The letter sent to the Oba of Benin, dated April 30, 2024, was signed by Folasade, the first daughter of President Tinubu.
The letter reads, “Your Majesty, my name is Chief Dr. Mujudat Folasade Tinubu-Ojo (FCIML), the lyaloja-General of Nigeria, and the First Daughter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR).
“With greatest sense of responsibility and utmost regards to our Royal Father, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II, The Oba of Benin, I humbly write to introduce PASTOR MRS JOSEPHINE ISI IBHAGUEZEJELE as the Edo State lyeki-Elect.
“With the development, it is her responsibility to see to the day-to-day affairs of the traders in the state (Edo State).”
“Your Majesty, I humbly request that you give your daughter every necessary backing to succeed in this great and noble assignment as I look forward to your fatherly blessing for her to be fruitful in her newly assigned responsibilities,” Folasade added.
In January, just weeks after Isi Ibhaguezejele was installed as the market leader, known as Iye-Eki in Edo State, traders from various markets across the state’s three senatorial districts took to the streets to protest her leadership.
They accused her of extortion, harsh treatment, and meting out ill-treatment towards them.
Some residents of the state also kicked against her appointment, saying she is Eshan and not Bini.
Meanwhile, conflicts are intensifying among market women in Edo South as Mrs. Isi Ibhaguezejele has been accused of unilaterally dismissing all current market women leaders in the region.
The aggrieved leaders allege that Mrs Isi Ibhaguezejele claimed her actions were carried out under the directives of the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II, and the Edo State Governor, Mr. Monday Okpebholo.
The controversy erupted after Mrs Isi Ibhaguezejele reportedly announced the replacement of all market women leaders in Edo South, citing orders from the Oba of Benin and the governor.
The Edo State Market Women Association, which has existed for over 52 years, stated that no one could remove a market leader unless they had passed away.
According to the association’s leaders, once a leader passes, the second-in-command is elected as a replacement, following the established hierarchy.
They emphasised that they adhere to tradition in Benin and deeply respect the Oba of Benin.
They expressed patience, stating that they do not wish to take any actions that might provoke the Oba.
However, if the situation worsens, they hope to have access to him and speak with him as a father figure.
The leaders warned Isi Ibhaguezejele to desist from attempting to unseat market women leaders. They cautioned that if a conflict arises, she may not be able to handle the consequences. As a result, they have advised their women leaders, known as ‘Iyeki,’ not to engage in any fights.
The market women stated that one cannot fight for what they have worked hard for, stating that anything one earns rightfully belongs to them and should not require a struggle to retain.
They further clarified that the Edo State Market Women Association is not a political organisation.
The association appealed to the Oba of Benin and the Edo State governor to convene a meeting where all stakeholders can express their concerns.
They also urged the Oba and the governor to call Isi Ibhaguezejele and others involved to prevent further crisis within the market.
Meanwhile, Isi Ibhaguezejele alleged that market women in Edo South have refused to work with her, insisting that they only recognise Governor Godwin Obaseki.
She claimed that the ongoing legal dispute between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has further complicated the situation.
She said, “When I met some of the Iyeki, they told me they do not recognise me as the new leader and that they will not work with me because they support former Governor Obaseki. They also said that APC and PDP are in court.
“They questioned why I believe APC will take control. I told them this is not a political issue; it is about ensuring stability in the market. Since they refused to cooperate with me, I decided to remove them and appoint people I can work with.
“I cannot put a snake’s head in my pocket. One of them told me directly that she would not work with me because she is aligned with the former Iyeki. I do not know what meeting they are referring to.
“Some even told me that isn’t it Tinubu’s daughter that appointed me. I told them that Tinubu’s mother was once the national president of the market association across the country. After her passing, her daughter took over. That same woman was the one who installed our secretary.
“For the past 12 years, Edo State has not had an Iyeki. The same lineage that installed her as secretary was the one that installed me as the new Iyeki of Edo State.
“I was surprised that when we went to the market, my intention was to bring everyone together. However, when we approached them, they said, ‘Madam, we don’t know you,” she added.
“Ogiso Iyeki told me this to my face. I visited her twice, and that was why I decided to appoint someone else. Many of the markets that agreed to work with us have retained their positions, and we remain together,” she said.
However, she denied arresting anyone but affirmed that it was the government that disbanded the market union. She urged the market women to comply with the state government, stating that she represents the government in the market sector.
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