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Benin Palace Halts ‘Iyaloja’ Title in Edo, Warns Against Politics in Markets

Published

7 months ago

October 11, 2025

The Palace of the Oba of Benin has stopped the move to introduce the title of “Iyaloja-General” across markets in Edo State, describing it as foreign to Benin culture and warning against attempts to mix politics with traditional market leadership.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The development followed reports that Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of President Bola Tinubu and National Iyaloja-General, had appointed Pastor Josephine Ibhaguezejele as Iyaloja-General for Edo State.

During her visit to the Benin Palace to introduce the new appointee, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, rejected the idea, saying the title does not exist in Benin tradition. He explained that the Benin Kingdom has its own market leadership structure known as “Iyeki,” which has existed for centuries.

“The Palace does not recognize the position of Iyaloja-General in Edo State. We already have a system that guides market leadership,” Oba Ewuare II reportedly said through the Benin Traditional Council (BTC).

Benin’s Market System

In the Benin traditional system, each market has its own Iyeki, chosen by market women and later presented to the Palace for confirmation. The Palace emphasized that it has never approved a single leader to oversee all markets in the state.

According to the BTC, attempts to install a statewide Iyaloja-General are unnecessary and risk undermining the authority of local market leaders. The council warned that imposing such a structure could create confusion, division, and tension among traders.

Palace Cautions Against Political Influence

The Benin Palace also expressed concern that market leadership is being influenced by politics. It urged politicians to stay away from traditional matters, noting that the market institution should remain neutral to maintain peace and economic stability.

“The markets belong to our mothers and traders who work daily to feed their families. Turning them into political tools will only cause conflict and hardship,” the Palace stated.

The statement further explained that the Benin Kingdom values its customs and that no external title should override or alter its traditional market leadership system.

Support for the Palace

Market women across Benin City have expressed their support for the Oba’s decision. They said the attempt to install an Iyaloja-General in Edo was against the cultural practices of the Benin people.

“We are happy that our Oba has spoken. Our markets already have leaders. We don’t need any other title,” said one trader at Oba Market.

Civil society groups and cultural organizations also backed the Palace. The Edo Art and Cultural Heritage Institute (EACHI) said the Iyeki system is part of Benin’s cultural identity and must be protected. Similarly, the Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) commended the Palace for defending tradition against political interference.

The Way Forward

The Benin Traditional Council called on all traders, community leaders, and government officials to respect Edo traditions. It warned that any attempt to impose new titles or systems could lead to unnecessary disputes.

The Palace maintained that only market leaders chosen locally and confirmed by traditional authorities would be recognized.

With this move, the Benin Palace has reaffirmed its authority over traditional institutions and sent a clear message that cultural heritage must be respected above political interests.

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Family Accuses Soldiers Of Killing NYSC Member In Abuja Home.

Published

14 minutes ago

April 29, 2026

NivoNews

The family of 24-year-old civil engineer, Abdulsamad Jamiu, has accused soldiers attached to the Presidential Brigade of Guards of shooting him dead inside his bedroom in the Kubwa area of Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to reports, the incident happened in the early hours of Saturday, April 26, 2026, when the soldiers were allegedly responding to a robbery alert in the area.

The military has reportedly described the incident as a case of “mistaken identity,” but the family strongly rejected that explanation, insisting there was no robbery or gunfire exchange in the community.

Jamiu, also known as Kesh, was a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member due to complete his service in May. He graduated with a second-class upper degree in civil engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, and was said to have planned a career in the Nigerian Army through the Direct Short Service Commission.

His foster father, Engr. MomohSani Jimoh, said he was away in Okene, Kogi State, for his mother’s burial rites when he received a distress call from his daughter.

“At 2:04 a.m., my daughter called me. She said, ‘Daddy, the worst has happened.’ I asked what happened, and she said they have killed Samad,” Jimoh recounted.

He said he immediately abandoned the burial arrangements and rushed back to Abuja, alleging that the soldiers gained access to the compound through a section of the fence after the main gate had been locked.

“Our barbed wire was never like that. Who passed through there? The military. That was where they entered,” he said.

He also claimed that only one gunshot was heard by the neighbourhood vigilance team and that there was no evidence of any wider gunfight in the area.

Sister Alleges Harassment

The deceased’s sister, Farida Jimoh, said she was awakened by a gunshot and came downstairs to find armed men in military uniform in the corridor.

“They flashed a torch in my eyes and told me to calm down,” she said.

She alleged that the soldiers dragged her outside, pointed out a bent section of the fence, and claimed they were chasing an armed robber.

Farida said she later discovered her brother had been shot dead inside his room.

“I started screaming, and one of them told me to be quiet so I wouldn’t wake the neighbours,” she said.

She also alleged that the soldiers prevented her from contacting her father and briefly seized her phone.

Family Disputes Robbery Narrative

Jimoh said one of the soldiers later admitted to him that the shooting was a mistake.

“He said, ‘Oga, it was a mistake. It has happened. Calm down,’” he claimed.

The family also alleged that local vigilantes were instructed to clean up the room after the body was removed.

Jimoh further said journalists later gathered accounts from vigilantes in Hausa, which he said confirmed details of the incident.

Farida also alleged that additional soldiers arrived at the scene later and took control of the compound.

“They came on bikes and were taking pictures,” she said.

Military Delegation Visits Family

Jimoh said military officials, including a representative of the Chief of Defence Staff, have visited the family and assured them of an investigation.

He also demanded a correction of an earlier military statement which reportedly described the incident as a crossfire during a robbery attempt.

“There was no exchange of gunfire from robbers,” he insisted.

According to him, the delegation promised transparency and disciplinary action if necessary.

Police authorities have also reportedly taken statements from family members and neighbours, while the Divisional Police Officer confirmed that the military had moved the body to a hospital before police arrival.

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Tonye Cole Picks APC Nomination Form To Challenge Fubara In Rivers.

Published

17 minutes ago

April 29, 2026

NivoNews

All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Tonye Cole, has picked up the party’s governorship nomination form in Rivers State ahead of the next election cycle.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Cole, who was the APC governorship candidate in the 2023 general election, finished second in the poll behind Siminalayi Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who emerged winner.

After obtaining the nomination form, Cole said his political ambition is driven by a vision centered on economic growth, security, infrastructure development, and improved governance in the state.

Meanwhile, Governor Fubara has not yet disclosed whether he intends to seek a second term in office.

In a separate comment, Cole also stated that it is normal for political parties—whether ruling or opposition—to try to weaken their rivals.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE Television’s Prime Time, he said such political dynamics exist in democracies worldwide.

According to him, it is the responsibility of the opposition to resist such pressure, which ultimately strengthens democratic practice.

He said, “Every party, regardless of being APC or not, will always push to weaken the opposition. It is the opposition’s response to that push that makes democracy work. This happens all over the world.

“First and foremost, it’s one of the things that I personally have looked forward to, that democracy always requires an opposition, and if that opposition is strong, then it brings legitimacy to the entire process.”

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Tension In Lagos APC As Aspirant Speaks On Hamzat Consensus Endorsement.

Published

20 minutes ago

April 29, 2026

NivoNews

A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Samuel Ajose, has opposed moves within the party to adopt a consensus candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship election, insisting that such an arrangement is only valid if all aspirants fully agree to it.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Ajose made his position known during a television interview on Tuesday, reacting to reports that party leaders had allegedly endorsed Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as the preferred consensus candidate.

He explained that consensus cannot be imposed, stressing that no aspirant should be compelled to withdraw from the race against their will.

According to him, the push for a single candidate reflects fear of open competition, adding that every aspirant with genuine support should be ready to test their popularity in a primary election.

Ajose maintained that the APC constitution provides for primaries where all contestants can freely seek the party’s ticket, saying the process would allow delegates to determine the most popular candidate.

He also argued that many Lagos residents are dissatisfied with the current state of governance and are eager for change, expressing confidence that a transparent primary would reflect the true wishes of party members.

The aspirant dismissed suggestions that President Bola Tinubu supports the reported consensus arrangement, insisting that due process has not been followed.

He further claimed that no formal meeting involving all aspirants had been held to agree on consensus, noting that such a decision would require collective participation.

Ajose said: “We understand what consensus means. Consensus says that every aspirant who has picked the party and nomination form must consent to it. We don’t know why Hamzat is scared of going into the primaries. If you have popularity, networks and grassroots support, then let’s go into the primaries. Everybody must go into the primaries; that is what the constitution says.”

He added that the outcome of the primaries would reveal the true choice of party members, insisting that attempts to impose a candidate would not stand.