The Benin traditional council has issued a stern warning against the politicisation of market leadership, stating that “the concept of Iyaloja is alien to Benin culture”.
The palace also expressed disapproval of the use of trade associations to run open markets and engage in partisan politics, describing these practices as inimical to the essence of Benin market tradition, according to a statement by the council on Wednesday.
According to the palace, the Iyeki, a traditional market leader in Benin culture, emerges among market women and is chosen by them. The Iyeki is then brought to the palace for confirmation and installation.
The palace restated that every Iyeki is independent and has a direct functional relationship with the Palace.
“We strongly advise that the function of Iyeki should not be politicised. Any deviation from this age-old cultural system may lead to a breach of peace,” said the statement.
The palace noted that it had observed the markets becoming a tool for partisan politicians and unscrupulous individuals, and appealed to market women and politicians to eschew dragging the sanctity of the Oba’s name into partisan politics.
The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, explained the authentic role of Iyeki in Benin culture, stating that every Iyeki has a spiritual function that they perform for the Palace and for the well-being of the market.
The palace reiterated that there was no honorary Iyeki title in Benin culture and that every Iyeki was culturally, spiritually, and religiously tied to the palace. The palace also summoned all Iyekis of every market to appear before it for further clarifications, scheduled for Thursday at 12 noon.
The palace reiterated its support for the state government’s administration and commended the governor and the president for their efforts, appealing to them not to let market women’s politics distract them from their divine work.
(NAN)