October 03, (THEWILL) — Thousands of market women in Benin City, on Friday, staged protests across major markets to denounce the purported installation of Pastor Josephine “Otagbogbo” Ibhaguezejele as “Iyaloja” of Benin markets.
The women, who converged at Oka, Ekiosa, Ogiso, Uselu and New Benin markets, described the title as alien to Benin tradition and vowed to resist any attempt to introduce it into their market system.
Carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, the traders praised the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, for what they called his timely rejection of the “Iyaloja” designation, stressing that the monarch had once again defended the cultural values of the Benin people.
“We will never accept strangers imposing titles that do not belong to our tradition. Our loyalty remains with the Oba of Benin, and we stand by his decision”, one of the leaders said.
The demonstrators also warned fellow traders against paying levies or dues to Pastor Josephine or her representatives, describing her as unwelcome in Benin markets. They urged members to report any form of harassment or intimidation connected with the disputed title.
Friday’s protest is the first in a series of demonstrations planned by different groups in Edo South, as community leaders insist that the attempt to install an “Iyaloja” in Benin represents a threat to the centuries-old cultural heritage of the people.
The rally ended with traditional chants of allegiance to the Oba: “Oba gha to kpere, Ise.”
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