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.

.Recall that Senator Oshiomhole had on Wednesday, July 24, 2013, given N100 million revolving, interest-free and non-refundable grant to market women in the state to boost their trade with a call on them to continue to defend democracy and good governance.

He said that he decided to give N100million to market women in the state because they have been crucial to the sustenance of democracy in the state.

However, Madam Ogiamen claimed that the former governor during an APC rally accused her of collecting N200 million from his administration on behalf of the association as well as being responsible for the burning of Ekiosa market.

Reacting to the allegations, Madam Ogiamen 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 the former governor, Senator Oshiomhole of tarnishing her high reputation through the spreading of falsehood against her.

She claimed that the former governor had 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 million to the association during its end-of-year ceremony.

She maintained that the said money (N100 million) was promptly and orderly shared amongst members who attended the end-of-year ceremony and wondered why the former governor is hell-bent on allegedly tarnishing her image because of politics.

She said: ?In 2013, the governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, been our patron donated the sum of one hundred million Naira to the Edo State Market Women Association, not Madam Blacky Ogiamen, during our ends of year party that year.

?The money was paid into the association?s Zenith Bank accountnot 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 distributed 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.

?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.

?He wants to tarnish my name because of politics, I did not burn any market nor send anybody to do so. He never gave me any money on behalf of the association let alone two hundred million Naira. He lied against me.?

She, however demanded neutrality and transparent conduct of the forthcoming governorship election in Edo from the police and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying that any attempt to subvert the will of the people would be resisted by Edo people.

Collaborating 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 Association, Madam Christina Omokaro, sternly refuted the allegations.agsinst their president.

They claimed that the one hundred million Naira donated to the association by comrade Oshiomhole?s administration was shared amongst their members across the 18 local government areas in the state.

According to Madam Agbonlahor, ?The money was not paid into any of our member?s account but the association?s bank account.

?It was shared among all members that attended the end-of-year party from the 18 local government areas in Edo. I was the deputy leader of Ikpoba-Okha market women association, but now I am the leader.?

Also, Madam Odionkhere said: ?The money was not embezzled rather it was shared amongst members of the association. I shared the one that was allocated to market women in Esan West, because I am their leader.?

On her part, Madam Osabuohien said ?Oshiomhole decided to lie against our association?s President, Madam Blacky Ogiamen because Edo State market women have abandoned him and his party to stick with our distinguished governor, Godwin Obaseki and his party candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo.? (Nigerian Tribune)

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