Benin Palace Ends ‘Iyaloja’ Politics, Reaffirms Market Leadership Must Follow Tradition

The Benin Palace has effectively put an end to the controversy surrounding the introduction of the ‘Iyaloja’ (Mother of the Market) title in Edo State, declaring the position alien to Benin customs and traditions.

The move followed weeks of public debate after the reported inauguration of an Iyaloja of Edo Market and a subsequent visit to the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, by Mrs. Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Iyaloja-General of Nigeria.

During the visit, Oba Ewuare II made it clear that the title of Iyaloja does not exist in Benin tradition, explaining that each market has its own leader, known as the Iyeki, who is chosen by market women and later presented to the palace for royal confirmation.

“There is no single woman controlling all markets in Benin Kingdom or Edo State,” the monarch said. “If such exists, it is purely for political reasons.”

Documents obtained by journalists revealed that the delegation had already conducted an inauguration ceremony before visiting the palace, despite writing to both the state government and the Benin Palace months earlier without receiving a formal response.

Observers believe the move was politically motivated, aimed at mobilizing women traders in support of President Tinubu’s potential 2027 re-election bid.

Following the palace’s intervention, Oba Ewuare II summoned all market leaders (Iyeki) in Benin City and directed that any markets with conflicting leadership—one loyal to Josephine Ibhaguezejele, who was presented as “Iyaloja-elect,” and another to Blakky Ogiamen, an ally of the past Edo administration—should dissolve both factions and allow market women to elect new leaders for palace approval.

Protests soon erupted under the banner of the Edo State Market Women Association (ESMWA), which rejected Ibhaguezejele’s installation, insisting that only a Benin woman who understands the customs and traditions of the kingdom can lead market women.

In response, Ibhaguezejele dismissed the protests as politically motivated, describing the allegations against her as “false” and “baseless.”

However, the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), in a statement signed by five senior palace chiefs and its secretary, Frank Irabor, reaffirmed that the “Iyaloja” concept was foreign to Benin tradition.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there is nothing like an ‘Iyeki General’ or ‘Iyaloja’ in Benin culture,” the BTC declared.
“Every market elects its own Iyeki, who is then confirmed by the palace. The Iyeki system must never be politicized, as it serves spiritual and cultural purposes tied directly to the palace.”

The council further warned that turning market leadership into a political tool could destabilize Edo’s long-standing cultural balance.

“We strongly advise that the function of Iyeki should not be politicised. Any deviation from this age-old system may lead to a breach of peace,” the statement added.

The BTC questioned the motivation behind importing the Yoruba-originated Iyaloja system into Edo, asking rhetorically:

“Can an Edo woman be made Iyaloja of Lagos? Can this concept be extended to Aba, Kano, or Sokoto?”

With the palace’s firm position, the attempt to institutionalize the “Iyaloja” title in Edo appears to have met a definitive end — reinforcing the Oba’s commitment to preserving Benin’s cultural heritage and keeping traditional institutions free from political interference.

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