There is palpable tension in Edo over the installation of Pastor Josephine Ibhaguezejele as the Iyaloja by Folasahde Tinubu-Ojo, who is the daughter of President Bola Tinubu.
The installation took place at the Government House in Benin on Tuesday. But during a visit to Oba Ewuare II on Thursday, the monarch told Tinubu-Ojo and her entourage that the concept of Iyaloja was alien to the Benin Kingdom.
According to Oba Ewuare II, each market is headed by Iyeki, who has a special relationship with the palace and performs expected roles in the shrine located in every market.
He said, “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.”
Recalled that last week, some market women protested against the choice of Ibhaguezejele as the market leader and insisted that a Benin woman had always led market women.
According to a culture enthusiast, Patrick Osadalor, the installation of the Iyaloja was an exercise in futility.
He said there is no tension as the Royal father had already explained what is obtainable in Benin to Tinubu-Ojo during the visit to the palace.
He 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 rights.
“For me, it is an exercise in futility as the market women are already showing their displeasure over the installation. And I am sure that without the Oba’s backing, the Iyaloja cannot function in Benin. The Iyeki will remain the market heads.
However, a resident from Edo Central, who pleaded anonymity, said there was no big deal in installing a non-Benin as Iyaloja in the state, noting her function would be to coordinate the market despite each one having an Iyeki.
The residents said, “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.
