Benin, Edo – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has issued a scathing press statement, accusing Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration of complicity in a recent event that allegedly disrespected the customs and traditions of the Benin Kingdom.

The controversy centers on the purported inauguration of market leadership positions by a non-Benin woman, an act the Oba of Benin has publicly denounced as alien to the kingdom’s cultural practices.

In a statement released on Thursday, issued by its Publicity Secretary Dan Osa-Ogbegie, Esq., the party expressed "profound disquiet" over the incident, which reportedly took place with the involvement or acquiescence of officials linked to the Government House.

The Oba, revered as the custodian of Benin’s native law, custom, and tradition, had previously clarified that the "Iyalọja" concept—implying a general market leader—is foreign to Benin’s heritage.

The PDP alleges that the event featured non-Edo songs, incantations, and theatrical elements, further compounding what it describes as a "sacrilegious" affront to the Palace.

The statement outlines several key grievances, including the bypassing of traditional market leadership selection processes, where Iyeki (market leaders) are chosen by market women and confirmed by the Palace. The PDP asserts that the imposition of a "general Iyeki" across multiple markets contradicts the kingdom’s decentralized system, where each market has its own culturally appointed leader.

The party also criticized the public marginalization of the Oba’s constitutional and customary role, calling it a deliberate act that cannot be dismissed as an accident.

Governor Okpebholo, who assumed office on November 12, 2024, following his victory in the contentious Edo State gubernatorial election, has yet to respond to the allegations. The PDP has demanded a public apology from his office and any officials involved, alongside a meeting with the Palace to reaffirm its custodial authority.

Additional demands include a formal undertaking to consult the Palace on future market leadership recognitions and an independent review of the First Lady’s office and Government House protocol’s roles in the event.

The PDP framed the issue as both a cultural and political test, warning that any attempt to erode Benin traditions will face "determined, peaceful, and principled resistance" from Edo people at home and abroad.

The party has called for mobilization of cultural associations, market unions, and community leaders to defend the heritage, while promising to pursue legal and civic remedies to hold those responsible accountable.

The incident also reignites debates about the balance between modern governance and traditional institutions in Nigeria’s diverse cultural landscape.