The Benin Traditional Council has voiced strong opposition to the recent introduction of the Iyaloja title in Edo State, describing it as foreign to Benin culture and tradition.
Newsonspot reports that in a statement issued on behalf of His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, and signed by six senior palace chiefs, the council stated that it found the installation of Pastor Josephine Ibhaguezejele as Iyaloja of Edo State both unfamiliar and inappropriate within the traditional framework of the Benin Kingdom.
The investiture, which was carried out by Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, took place on September 30 at the Edo State Government House, sparking widespread tension and public debate across the state.
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The palace questioned the logic of introducing a non-indigenous title into Benin, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent for traditional institutions in Nigeria.
“Can this concept of Iyaloja be extended to Aba, Owerri, Keffi, Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, and other parts of Nigeria?” the statement queried.
The council reaffirmed that Edo already has its own traditional market leadership system known as the Iyeki, and cautioned that any attempt to alter or override it could disrupt peace and order in the state.
In a show of solidarity, market women in Benin City visited the Oba’s palace on Monday to thank the monarch for standing firm in defence of Benin customs and heritage, pledging continued loyalty to the throne.
The palace further condemned the politicisation of market associations, noting that they were increasingly being used as tools to control market activities and advance partisan interests.
“It is antithetical and inimical to the essence of market tradition in Benin culture,” the statement read.
The council concluded by urging all parties involved to desist from dragging the sacred name of the Oba into political matters.
Reaffirming its support for the state government and President Bola Tinubu, the Palace urged market women to maintain loyalty to tradition and avoid being drawn into political manipulation.
“We appeal to the market women and the politicians behind them to eschew dragging the sanctity of the name of the Oba into their partisan political affairs,” it stated.
