The Benin Traditional Council (BTC), acting under the authority of His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare II, has expressed strong reservations about the introduction of the Iyaloja concept in Edo State by Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, Iyaloja-General of Nigeria and daughter of President Bola Tinubu.
The palace described this move as alien to Benin culture and tradition and condemned the politicization of market leadership through trade associations.
In a statement issued on October 7, 2025, the palace warned that such politicization is “antithetical and inimical to the essence of our market tradition in Benin culture.”
The traditional market leadership structure in Benin involves the Iyeki (market heads), who emerge organically among market women and are presented to the palace for confirmation, similar to the village Odionwere’s endorsement.
Each Iyeki operates independently and is culturally, spiritually, and religiously tied to the palace, without honorary titles or politicization.
The palace cautioned that attempts to politicize the Iyeki role could “lead to a breach of peace” and called on the Edo State Government to uphold this long-standing cultural order.
The statement also lamented that Edo markets have become “tools in the hands of partisan politicians and unscrupulous individuals,” which has contributed to rising food prices, undermining President Tinubu’s economic stabilization efforts.
Quoting a Benin proverb, “uvun re rhan iramwen elaro” (“if there is no hole in a tree, deadly insects cannot find an entrance”), the palace compared the current controversy to some Iyekis failing to maintain their traditional loyalty to the palace.
The palace also challenged the national scope of the Iyaloja role championed by Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, questioning whether the concept would be extended to other regions such as Kano, Aba, Owerri, Keffi, Kaduna, Sokoto, and more.
It questioned the authenticity and motive behind importing the Yoruba cultural tradition of Iyaloja into Edo State.
Despite these concerns, the Benin Palace reaffirmed its full support for Governor Monday Okpebholo, describing his relationship with the Oba as “a divine blessing to Edo State.”
The statement urged the President and Governor not to be distracted by market women politics and to focus on their governance mandate.
The statement was signed by senior chiefs of Benin, including Chief Norense Ozigbo-Esere, Chief Osaro Idah, Chief Okunoghae Edomwandagbon, Chief Edionwe Oliha, Chief Ada Igbinovia, and Frank Irabor, Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council.
This controversy highlights the clash between traditional market governance systems in Benin culture and modern political influences in market leadership, raising questions about cultural preservation and political interference in Nigeria’s commerce sectors.
