Residents of Ilaje Road in the Bariga district of Lagos have organized a protest against the recent decision made by the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) to rename the road in honor of music icon, King Sunny Ade.
The demonstration, which occurred on Wednesday, attracted community members who expressed that the renaming disrespects their heritage and seeks to erase their cultural identity.
This contentious name change was reportedly sanctioned by the previous LCDA chairman, David Kolade Alabi, just before his term ended, despite prior objections from the residents.
While addressing the protesters, the Baale of Ilaje/Bariga, High Chief Kayode Ayetiwa, revealed that the newly inaugurated LCDA chairperson, Bukola Adedeji, had contacted him before the protest, asking for patience and vowing to overturn the decision. Nevertheless, the community moved forward with the protest and also filed a formal petition to the council.
Ayetiwa emphasized that the name Ilaje Road has been in use since 1948 and is a significant part of the community’s history and identity.
“We will not permit the legacy and name of Ilaje Road to be erased, regardless of how notable the individual chosen for the renaming may be,” stated the Baale.
The community’s protest letter labeled the former chairman’s actions as unconstitutional and executed without the approval of local councillors.
Raphael Irowanu, President General of Egbe Omo Ilaje, expressed worries about what he perceives as a broader trend of marginalization, highlighting that the Ilaje population in Lagos State is approximately four million, with deep ancestral connections to Yoruba history.
He pointed out that the renaming of the road, along with ongoing demolitions impacting the community, suggests an effort to displace and undermine the Ilaje people.
He cautioned that ongoing neglect of their issues could lead to political consequences for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming 2027 elections. While acknowledging