Oba of Benin Warns Against Politicising Market Leadership
The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has issued a strong warning against involving market women in partisan politics, emphasizing that such actions could destabilize the traditional market structure and lead to unrest. This statement comes in response to recent events surrounding the installation of Pastor Josephine Ibhaguezejele as the Iyaloja of Edo State by Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria and daughter of President Bola Tinubu.
A statement released on Thursday by the Osuma of Benin, Chief Norense Ozigbo-Esere; the Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor; and four other palace chiefs, indicated that the monarch will hold meetings with all Iyekes (market heads) across Benin markets to clarify the situation further. While details of the meeting remain undisclosed, sources within the palace confirmed it was organized in response to the tensions arising from Ibhaguezejele’s purported installation.
During Tinubu-Ojo’s visit to the palace last Thursday, Oba Ewuare II reiterated that the concept of an Iyaloja is not part of Benin culture. He highlighted that each market in the kingdom is traditionally led by an Iyeki—a woman chosen by traders and spiritually connected to the palace.
“In Benin, there is nothing like an ‘Iyeko-General,’ which this Iyaloja title seems to suggest,” the BTC statement clarified. “Each Iyeki emerges from among the market women, is presented to the Palace for confirmation, and once approved, is installed by her peers. Every Iyeki is independent, culturally and spiritually tied to the Palace, and performs specific rituals for the well-being of the market.”
The palace strongly cautioned against the politicisation of market leadership or the use of trade associations as political tools. The statement emphasized that these factors are antithetical to the essence of market traditions in Benin culture.
“We advise that the function of Iyeki should not be politicised. Any deviation from this age-old cultural system may lead to a breach of peace. The BTC therefore urges the state government to take cognisance of this warning to avoid a breakdown of law and order.”
The palace also warned politicians and market leaders to stop invoking the name of the Oba to legitimise their political activities. The statement questioned whether past leaders had respected the Oba’s words when they used market women as political pawns.
“The former market leader, Blacky Ogiemien, was once advised by the Palace to desist from such practices but continued despite warnings.”
Market Women Respond to the Controversy
Meanwhile, reacting to the ongoing controversy, Ogiemien stated that market women in Edo State are apolitical and would continue to support any government in power while remaining loyal to the Oba. Speaking by phone on Wednesday, she said:
“We work with any government in power. It was Lucky Igbinedion who handed us to Senator Oserhiemen Osunbor; when Osunbor left, we worked with Oshiomhole, and he later told us to work with Governor Obaseki. There’s a process for leadership selection, and no one can just appoint themselves coordinator.”
On the Oba’s planned meeting and the directive against politicisation, she added:
“We are all one. Anytime the Oba wants us, we will be there. If the Oba says we should not be involved in politics again, there’s no problem about that.”
