BENIN CITY — A viral video of a Benin-based market woman expressing extreme frustration over the rising cost of living has reignited national conversations regarding the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In the widely shared clip, the woman, surrounded by her wares, is seen holding up a handful of peppers and declaring in Pidgin English: “If I see Tinubu, this pepper so, I go squeeze am rub him face. Tinubu na person?”. The outburst, while personal, has become a symbol for the deepening resentment felt by grassroots traders across Nigeria as inflation continues to erode purchasing power.
Widespread Resentment Over Cost of Living
The woman’s anger reflects a broader sentiment captured in recent protests across Edo State, where market women have voiced grievances against the current economic reality.
Inflationary Pressures: Traders in Benin City have lamented the surge in foodstuff prices, citing the removal of fuel subsidies and increased transportation costs as primary drivers of their hardship.
National Unrest: Similar frustrations have led to planned nationwide protests in February 2026, with organized labor and civil society groups warning that Nigerians can no longer remain silent in the face of unpaid allowances and soaring costs.
A Culture Clash: The ‘Iyaloja’ Controversy
The “pepper” remark also comes amid a tense standoff between Benin market women and the Presidency’s family. In late 2025, market women in Edo State held massive protests against an attempt by the President’s daughter, Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, to install an ‘Iyaloja-General’ in the state.
The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, rejected the title as “alien” to Benin culture, insisting that market leadership remains a sacred traditional role under the palace’s jurisdiction. This cultural friction has fueled the narrative that the First Family is attempting to “penetrate” the state’s grassroots in preparation for the 2027 elections.
Government Position
While the Presidency has not responded to this specific viral video, it has consistently urged for patience, with Tinubu-Ojo recently appealing to market women to caution their children against participating in hunger protests, maintaining that the government’s reforms will eventually yield positive results.
As the political temperature rises, the Benin market woman’s visceral reaction serves as a stark reminder that for many Nigerians, the debate over 2027 is secondary to the immediate struggle for survival.
See video below:
https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/2018742336969146368/vid/avc1/576×1024/8BWfMNy3GQyle-zj.mp4?tag=21
