A letter written by President Bola Tinubu’s daughter, Chief Dr. Mujidat Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, to the Oba of Benin, has sparked controversy in Edo State.
The letter, dated April 30, 2024, introduces Pastor Isi Ibhaguezejele as the new Iyeki-Elect (Market leader) of Edo State.
However, the introduction of Pastor Isi Ibhaguezejele as the new market leader has been met with resistance from market women in Edo State.
They have accused her of extortion, harsh treatment, and meting out ill-treatment towards them. Some residents of the state have also kicked against her appointment, saying she is not from the Bini tribe.
Conflicts are intensifying among market women in Edo South, with Pastor Isi Ibhaguezejele accused of unilaterally dismissing all current market women leaders in the region.
The aggrieved leaders allege that Pastor Isi Ibhaguezejele claimed her actions were carried out under the directives of the Oba of Benin and the Edo State Governor.
In response to the allegations, Pastor Isi Ibhaguezejele claimed that market women in Edo South have refused to work with her, insisting that they only recognize Governor Godwin Obaseki.
She also stated that the ongoing legal dispute between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has further complicated the situation.
The Edo State Market Women Association has appealed to the Oba of Benin and the Edo State governor to convene a meeting where all stakeholders can express their concerns.
