The Benin Traditional Council has expressed strong reservations over the recent introduction of the Iyaloja title in Edo State, insisting that the concept is alien to Benin culture.
In a statement issued on behalf of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, and signed by six senior palace chiefs, the council stated that it had yet to understand the motive behind the installation of Pastor Josephine Ibhaguezejele as Iyaloja by Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the daughter of President Bola Tinubu.
The event, which took place at the Edo State Government House on September 30, has since generated tension and controversy across the state.
The palace questioned the logic behind introducing a non-indigenous title into Edo, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent.
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“Can this concept of Iyaloja be extended to Aba, Owerri, Keffi, Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto and other parts of Nigeria?” the statement queries.
The council stressed that Edo traditions already recognise the Iyeki system, and warned that any attempt to alter it could lead to a breach of peace.
On Monday, market women in Benin visited the Oba’s palace to express gratitude for his firm rejection of the title, reaffirming their support for Benin traditions.
The statement also condemned the use of market associations as tools for exerting open market control and engaging in partisan politics.
“It is antithetical and inimical to the essence of market tradition in Benin culture,” the palace declared.
The council expressed worry that market women were being used as pawns in political battles under the guise of associations.
It appealed directly to those behind the move, saying, “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.”
The statement said, “The Palace feels that if we were duly consulted about what the tradition says about Iyeki’s Role in Benin tradition, all the ensuing controversy or tension would have been avoided.
“Benin Traditional Council wishes to reiterate that in Benin, there is nothing like Iyeki general, which this lyaloja concept seems to imply. In Benin culture, lyeki emerges among the market women. After being chosen by the market women, she is brought to the palace for confirmation.
“Once confirmed, they are told to go ahead and install her as the lyeki of the market. The Palace never chooses anybody as lyeki. It is the market women who do that. Every lyeki is independent of each other. Every lyeki is culturally, spiritually and religiously tied to the Palace.
“There is a direct functional relationship between lyeki and the Palace. Just as there is no honorary chieftaincy title in Benin culture, so also there is no honorary lyeki title in Benin culture. Every lyeki has a spiritual function she performs for the Palace and for the well-being of the market. We strongly advise that the function of lyeki should not be politicised.
“We hope the market women, headed by their Iyekis, would have learned their lesson now and know their traditional connection with the Palace and what is expected of them. And learn to watch the mood of the Palace and go with it.
“The Palace feels that if we were duly consulted about what the tradition says about Iyeki role in Benin tradition all the ensuing controversy or tension would have been avoided.”
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