By Jethro Ibileke
The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has advised President Bola Tinubu and the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, to avoid the distraction of market women politics and focus on the duties they were elected to perform for Nigerians and the people of Edo State.
His advice followed the controversy surrounding the inauguration of Pastor Josephine Ivbaguezejele as Iyeki by the daughter of President Tinubu, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, on October 2, 2025, at the Edo State Government House.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), the monarch noted that the Palace had, for some time, observed that markets have become tools in the hands of partisan politicians and unscrupulous individuals who exploit them for personal gain.
He stated that the practice of using market associations negatively has contributed significantly to the rise in food prices, thereby undermining President Tinubu’s efforts to reduce the cost of living.
“This situation has persisted long before the present administration. While the Palace takes a dim view of such an alien concept as the ‘Iyaloja’ being introduced into the market system of Edo culture, it is also pertinent to point out that the Palace has serious reservations about market women allowing themselves to be used as political pawns under the guise of market associations in Edo State.
“The Palace has received numerous complaints that this negative use of associations in the markets has contributed immensely to the rise in the prices of foodstuffs, thereby seriously affecting the efforts of Mr. President to bring food prices down.
“While the Palace maintains its position that the Iyaloja concept is alien to the culture of Benin, it also frowns at the use of trade associations to control open markets and play partisan politics.
“These twin factors are antithetical and inimical to the essence of our market tradition in Benin culture,” he said.
Oba Ewuare further appealed to market women and the politicians behind them to stop dragging the sanctity of the name of the Oba into their partisan political activities.
“We hear comments such as ‘the Oba’s word is final’ in this Iyaloja saga. But did the market women respect and observe this in previous administrations when they allowed themselves to be used as political pawns?” he asked.
While clarifying that there is nothing like “Iyeki General” in Benin—which the Iyaloja concept seems to imply—the Oba explained that in Benin culture, the Iyeki emerges from among the market women.
“The Palace never chooses anybody as Iyeki. It is the market women who do that. Every Iyeki is independent of the others. Each Iyeki is culturally, spiritually, and religiously tied to the Palace. There is a direct functional relationship between the Iyeki and the Palace.
“Just as there is no honorary chieftaincy title in Benin culture, so also there is no honorary Iyeki title. Every Iyeki has a spiritual function she performs for the Palace and for the well-being of the market,” he added.
The monarch advised that the role of the Iyeki should not be politicized, noting that any deviation from “this age-old cultural system” may lead to a breach of peace.
“It behoves the Benin Traditional Council to advise the state government to take cognizance of this and avoid a breakdown of law and order,” he stated.
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