Crusaderhotnews
By Gidigba Group
Edo market women, on Wednesday, took to the streets of Benin to protest the illegal takeover of markets in Benin City and by extension, Edo State, by one Pst. Josephine (a non-Benin native)—the traders described as sacrilegious a situation were a non-Benin, who apparently has the backing of powerful persons, illegally take over markets, despite the existence of Iye-Eki.
They noted that Pst. Josephine, has continued to use her illegitimate position to extort traders across markets in Benin City, Edo State, engaging the services of thugs to execute her dirty deals.
The women were seen in large number, chanting protest songs, as they marched towards Edo government house—they have asked Edo government, Oba of Benin, to step in the matter before it snowballs into a full blown cultural calamity.
In a letter to the Oba of Benin and made available to press, the women noted, "we draw His Royal Majesty's kind attention to the injustice and taboo ridiculing our markets in Edo State, where a non-Benin, with no known inclination to the Benin tradition and custom, has been imposed to oversee the management of markets in Benin City and by extension, Edo State".
"One Pastor Josephine, with a non-Benin ancestry, who claims to have the backing of the Edo State government and the support of President Bola Tinubu's daughter, continue to parade herself as Iyeki in Benin; under her, our markets have become a tool for extortion by thugs loyal to her, our women are faced with all manner of levies, and where they attempt to resist, they are beaten, insulted and their businesses threatened—her illegitimate reign has brought about widespread division and resentments across markets in Benin as market women are now confused as to her sudden claim of Iyeki", they added.
The women who appealed for the intervention of the Oba of Benin, said, "today, Wednesday 24, September, 2025, we march in total submission to the Godly and ancestral divinity of the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II—our father, our light, our path, our protector, the divine creator of the sacred office of Iyeki, in recognition of His Majesty's divine position as the principal custodian of the custom, values and tradition of the Benin nation, believing that, His Royal Majesty, Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, will deploy a pinch off his reservoir of wisdom and foresight, to intervene on the market impasse in Benin City, Edo State, to see to it that the prevailing injustice and taboo in markets in Benin City, and by extension, Edo State, is immediately reversed".
Meanwhile, the position of Iyeki is a not apolitical, Iyeki does not carry Party card, neither does she campaign or mobilize the markets to campaign for politicians—Iyeki, alongside her officers, as created by the Oba of Benin, are traditional gatekeepers of the markets in Benin City, and by extension, Edo State, who advocate for better market policies, market security, as well as monitor price of commodities to suit current economic realities, and make living easy for market women, and consumers across Edo State.
According to the Benin tradition, as validated by the Oba Palace, there can only be a replacement in the event that an Iye-Eki dies, voluntarily resigns or the Oba choses a new person.
As at the time of filing in this report, the women have taken the protest to Edo government house, Oba Palace, NUJ and other areas of interest, calling for quick resolution of the matter.
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