Tinubu’s daughter caught in Benin Iyaloja row

By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY – Controversy has continued to way the caller installation of Pastor Josephine Ibhaguezejele by the Iyaloja-General of Market Women Association, Mrs Folashade Ojo-Tinubu, arsenic the Iyaloja of Edo State, a rubric that virtually means caput of markets successful the state.

The uproar stems from the unfamiliarity of the rubric wrong Benin’s taste structure, the process of selection, and alleged politicisation of the position.

Specifically, the quality implicit the enactment of markets successful Benin, symbolised by Mrs. Blacky Ogiamen, gained traction soon aft the September 21, 2024 governorship predetermination erstwhile traders raised concerns implicit plans to regenerate Ogiamen.

Before then, Ogiamen had led a protestation successful July, alleging attempts to region her illegally from bureau arsenic the caput of marketplace women successful Edo, a presumption which Oba Ewuare II had earlier declared non-existent, explaining that each marketplace successful Benin Kingdom has its caput known arsenic Iye’ki, who performs taste and spiritual functions connected behalf of the palace.

Ogiamen was accused of utilizing her presumption to beforehand governmental loyalty to erstwhile Governor Godwin Obaseki and openly supporting the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, during the election.

Protests

The contention deepened weeks agone erstwhile members of the Edo State Market Women Association (ESMWA) protested the alleged imposition of Ibhaguezejele, claiming she is not of Benin extraction.

In a connection signed by Mrs. Florence Ahunwan and 5 others, the women described the installation arsenic “a taboo” and “a negation of Benin tradition.”

”It is an injustice wherever a non-Benin, with nary inclination to our customs, has been imposed to oversee markets successful Benin City and Edo State,” they said.

The protesters alleged that the assignment was politically influenced by immoderate authorities officials and Mrs. Ojo-Tinubu, the Iyaloja-General of Lagos.

It’s politically motivated – Ibhaguezejele

In her response, Pastor Ibhaguezejele dismissed the protestation arsenic politically motivated, describing the allegations against her arsenic false. She said the protesters were not members of the relation she leads.

What shocked galore observers was that Ojo-Tinubu inaugurated Ibhaguezejele earlier visiting the Oba of Benin, contrary to tradition.

At the event, Governor Monday Okpebholo, represented by the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Edesiri Anani, reaffirmed his administration’s committedness to empowering women and strengthening families.

He said: “Our imaginativeness is to beforehand thriving marketplaces wherever peace, fairness, and communal enactment signifier the instauration of commerce. Women stay the heartbeat of Edo’s economy.”

Mrs. Ojo-Tinubu, successful her remarks, clarified that nary 1 was displaced, insisting that the presumption had been vacant for years.

Pastor Ibhaguezejele, successful her acceptance speech, said the presumption had been unoccupied for 12 years and that leaders from 151 of the 152 markets successful Edo attended her inauguration.

Iyaloja alien to Benin contented – Oba Ewuare II

However, Oba Ewuare II, portion receiving Ojo-Tinubu and her delegation, declared that the rubric of Iyaloja-General oregon Iyeki-General is alien to Benin tradition.

He recounted the humanities operation of marketplace enactment successful Benin and the revered roles of past queens specified arsenic Idia and Iden n’Okpokhuo, emphasizing that marketplace enactment is rooted successful spiritual and taste duties, not politics.

”Iyaloja is alien to america successful Benin. Here, each marketplace has its Iye’ki, who performs taste roles for the palace. The Oba does not interfere arsenic agelong arsenic the Iye’ki performs her duties,” the monarch said.
Chief Osaro Idah, speaking connected behalf of the Oba, explained that each market’s Iye’ki is selected internally and aboriginal presented to the palace for confirmation, adding:

“The conception of a ‘general Iye’ki’ is overseas to Benin custom. Every marketplace has its ain Iye’ki, and nary controls the other.”

The improvement has continued to pull beardown reactions.

In a statement, the Aiguobasomwin Movement Worldwide, done its President Iyamu Osaro Culture and Secretary-General Osayuki-Osa Benson, insisted that Iye’ki is simply a instauration of Benin heritage, not authorities oregon politics.

”Only a Benin pistillate tin beryllium Iye’ki. Pastor Ibhaguezejele’s inaugurati...