There is palpable tension in Edo State following the installation of Pastor Josephine Ibhaguezejele as Iyaloja by the daughter of President Bola Tinubu, Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo.
The installation, which took place at the Government House in Benin on Tuesday, has continued to stir controversy. During a visit to the palace on Thursday, however, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, informed Tinubu-Ojo and her entourage that the title of Iyaloja was not part of Benin culture.
Addressing the delegation, Oba Ewuare II explained that every market in the Benin Kingdom is traditionally headed by an Iyeki, who maintains a special relationship with the palace and performs cultural rites in shrines located within the markets.
The monarch stated, “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. I have discussed this matter with my chiefs and those who are knowledgeable. Do you know the role of Iyeki in Benin culture? Every Iyeki has a special relationship with the palace. Are you aware of that? Do you know that every Iyeki has a cultural role to perform in every market?
“The Oba does not interfere so long as the Iyeki does what is expected of her in the shrine of a particular market on behalf of the Oba. We are not going to say much except to explain to you the concept of Iyeki in Benin.”
Recall that last week, some market women in Benin protested against the installation of Ibhaguezejele, insisting that only a Benin woman had traditionally led market women in the state.
The protesters argued that the imposition of an Iyaloja from outside Benin culture would undermine age-long traditions that place the Iyeki at the heart of market leadership.
A culture enthusiast, Patrick Osadalor, who spoke with Punch on the development, described the installation as “an exercise in futility.”
He said the Oba’s position already clarified the matter and left no room for ambiguity.
Osadalor said, “As the royal father had said when the daughter of the president visited the palace to tell him about the installation of Iyaloja, the Oba told her point blank that the culture of the Benin does not recognise Iyaloja but Iyeki.
“The Iyeki are leaders of the various markets in Benin, and they have spiritual, cultural and traditional roles they perform for the Oba in each market. The so-called Iyaloja is not from Benin, so how will she know what right to perform at the market? As a non-Benin, she will definitely not be able to perform those rites.”
He added that without the Oba’s blessing, no Iyaloja could function effectively in the state.
While many see the installation as controversial, some residents have downplayed the uproar. A resident from Edo Central, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there was nothing wrong with appointing a non-Benin as Iyaloja.
“I don’t see anything wrong in the installation of a non-Benin as Iyaloja. She will only play a coordinating role as the Iyaloja. If she is not allowed to function, it means she will only be able to function as Iyaloja over markets in Edo Central and Edo North,” the resident noted.
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