At a time when political privilege threatens to override cultural integrity, the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has commended Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, for rejecting the ‘Iyaloja’ structure in Edo State’s markets.
The decision, it noted, marks a pivotal moment in the defence of indigenous governance and democratic accountability in Nigeria.The proposal —championed by Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of President Bola Tinubu and self-styled Iyaloja-General of Nigeria — sought to instal Pastor Josephine Ivbazebule as Iyaloja of all Edo markets.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr Ibrahim Zikirullahi, the group submitted: “Though cloaked in the language of modernisation, the initiative amounted to cultural colonialism. It attempted to transplant a Lagos-Yoruba-rooted title into the sacred commercial spaces of the Benin Kingdom, disregarding centuries of tradition and spiritual order.
“Oba Ewuare II’s response was clear, courageous, and culturally grounded. He reaffirmed that Benin markets are governed by the Iyeki—leaders chosen by traders and confirmed by the palace. These figures are not mere administrators; they are custodians of sacred shrines and emissaries of the Oba’s spiritual authority. Unlike the centralised Iyaloja-General system prevalent in the South-West, particularly in Lagos, the Benin model is decentralised, rooted in communal consensus and spiritual stewardship.
“To undermine this system is to desecrate the very identity of the Benin people. Let us ask: would Mrs. Tinubu-Ojo have pursued this campaign if her father were not president? Her actions reflect a troubling sense of entitlement, emboldened by proximity to power. The audacity with which she seeks to override centuries of Benin and other traditions raises serious questions—not just about cultural insensitivity, but about political motives.”
It continued: “CHRICED is deeply concerned that the aggressive expansion of the Iyaloja-General structure may be part of a broader strategy to consolidate influence ahead of the 2027 presidential elections. By installing loyalists in market leadership across states, a political machinery is quietly being built—one that could be weaponised to sway public opinion, mobilise votes, and entrench patronage networks. We smell a rat, and the stench is unmistakable.
“As Shakespeare wrote in Julius Caesar:
‘Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world like a Colossus, and we petty men walk under his huge legs and peep about to find ourselves dishonourable graves. Men at some time are masters of their fates…
“Oba Ewuare II has chosen to be master of his fate—and of his people’s—by refusing to yield to external pressures. His stand is not merely regal; it is revolutionary. It reminds us that true leadership is not measured by proximity to power, but by fidelity to principle.
CHRICED calls on traditional rulers across Nigeria to emulate this example. Our indigenous institutions must not be reduced to instruments of political ambition or profiteering. They must be protected as bastions of heritage, dignity, and communal pride. Nigeria’s unity cannot be built on the erasure of cultural identities. True unity arises from mutual respect, equity, and justice. Any attempt to subvert these values—whether through cultural domination or covert political engineering—will be met with unwavering civic resistance.”
