Newly surfaced document suggests conflict between appointed Iyaloja and market traders over legitimacy and tradition
A recently leaked letter, dated early 2024, has caused a stir in Benin Kingdom circles after it purportedly shows that Folashade Tinubu wrote to the Oba of Benin, requesting that he officially accept her preferred Iyaloja — Mrs. Josephine Ibhaguezejele — over the traditional claimant, Iyeki. The letter does not frame the request overtly as a directive, but the language is interpreted by many as a subtle mandate for the Oba to side with her choice.
The controversy centers on Mrs. Josephine’s qualifications and her standing among actual traders. Multiple market sources have told this publication that she is not a trader by profession, and “has never had a stall in any market.” These revelations call into question the authenticity of the appointment and whether the process respects traditional norms and trader representation.
Supporters of the existing Iyaloja—referred to here as Iyeki—argue that imposing an outsider contradicts the customary method by which market leaders emerge from within the trading community. They warn of tension and possible backlash if leadership roles are decided from external influence, rather than consensus among the markets’ own stakeholders.
Observers note that the letter’s release may reignite debates around the intersection of political influence, traditional authority, and community representation. They caution that for the integrity of both tradition and commerce, the Oba’s palace will need to tread carefully, balancing respect for customary norms with pressures from powerful external interests.
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