Tension is growing in Edo State after the daughter of President Bola Tinubu, Chief (Mrs.) Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, installed Pastor Josephine Ibhaguezejele as the Iyaloja (market leader) of the state.
The installation took place on Tuesday at the Government House in Benin City. However, during a visit to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, on Thursday, the monarch said the title of Iyaloja does not exist in Benin culture.
“The concept of Iyaloja is alien to us here in Benin. In Benin, you are in the home of culture; we have our culture here. Every market in Benin has an Iyeki, who has a special relationship with the palace and performs cultural roles in the shrine of the market on behalf of the Oba,” the Oba said.
The Oba explained that the palace does not interfere with the work of market leaders as long as they perform their duties properly.
“We are not going to say much except to explain to you the concept of Iyeki in Benin,” he added.
Last week, some market women protested against Ibhaguezejele’s installation, insisting that a Benin woman should remain the leader of market women in the state.
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A culture expert, Patrick Osadalor, said the installation of an Iyaloja in Benin was “an exercise in futility.”
He explained that Benin culture does not recognise the Iyaloja title and that the role of market leadership belongs to the Iyeki.
“As the royal father said when the president’s daughter visited the palace, the Oba told her point blank that Benin culture does not recognise Iyaloja but Iyeki. The Iyeki are leaders of various markets in Benin, and they have spiritual, cultural, and traditional roles they perform for the Oba. The so-called Iyaloja is not from Benin, so how will she know the rights to perform in the market?” Osadalor said.
He added that without the Oba’s backing, the newly installed Iyaloja could not function effectively.
“The Iyeki will remain the market heads,” he said.
However, a resident from Edo Central, who asked not to be named, said there was no harm in appointing a non-Benin as Iyaloja.
“I don’t see anything wrong in the installation. She will only play a coordinating role over the markets. If she is not allowed to function in Benin, then she can serve as Iyaloja in Edo Central and Edo North,” the resident said.
The disagreement has stirred debate across the state, with many calling for respect for Benin traditions while others see the move as an attempt to unite market women under a single leadership.