A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Falilat Yusuf, popularly known as Ero-Arike, has responded to critics calling for her to stop selling her products, saying she would not go hungry even if she stopped selling the balm.

In a video sighted by Tribune Online, Arike showcased some of her properties and business investments while defending her source of livelihood.

She said she had worked for years to build her businesses and had other sources of income apart from selling Ero Arike balm.

“Whenever it was that I built this house, I built this house. If you say you want to stop me from selling Ero Arike today, hunger will not kill me. Never, ever! There is no hunger,” she said.

Arike also disclosed that she had built houses for students in Iragbiji, Osun State, saying she had 16 such houses.

“If I should count the houses I built for students in Iragbiji, I will count 16. Sixteen! And you’re saying that it is remaining a little bit before they pay rent and move in. So, am I going to chop up their money and eat it all?

“Those of you saying you shouldn’t sell Ero Arike, don’t sell it. Those you want to punish, go ahead and punish them. I swear by Almighty God, those you want to punish, go ahead,” she added.

The herbal practitioner also showed a school building she said she was constructing, explaining that she planned to install solar power and provide water for students who would use the facility.

According to her, the project was part of her efforts to support people in her community.

ALSO READ: Don’t boycott brand over owner’s politics, Ero-Arike workers beg Nigerians

“My enemies, your child will come to Iragbiji to school and will rent my house. Because we are done with this building, I will install solar so my children won’t suffer from power outages.

“I put solar power there so they will always have light to study. Clean water is available there. They won’t lack water or electricity. Nothing will disturb them while studying at night. Everything is fully set up there,” she said.

Arike further displayed what she described as her registered business premises and a truck belonging to her business.

She said her success was not limited to the sale of her herbal balm, noting that she also had farms and other businesses.

“Ero Arike isn’t just a small market setup. People talk about America, London, UK, US… well, this is my estate! This is Ero Arike’s registered property. Look at this truck! By God’s power, this truck belongs to us,” she said.

She also spoke about the people who depend on the sale of her balm for their livelihood, particularly widows and other vendors.

According to her, any attempt to stop the sale of her products could affect these people more than it would affect her personally.

“I can never suffer. It is the widows and those hawking my balm you shouldn’t let suffer,” Arike said.

She added that she had other investments, including seven farms in Ore, while describing herself as a hardworking woman.

“I also have seven farms in Ore. I am an hardworking woman,” she said.

Arike also defended the effectiveness of her herbal products, claiming that she had remedies for different ailments and promising to refund customers whose products did not work.

She said she had been known for about 31 years and maintained that her name had not been tarnished.

“I am not saying that right now there’s no money to feed, but for any politician who wants to win, any politician who wants to… needs someone that the world has known for 31 years, someone whose name has never been tarnished,” she said.

The balm seller also referenced the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Osun election Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and his political influence, saying he secured significant votes despite never contesting an election before.