Ilaje residents protest renaming of road after King Sunny Ade

Residents of Ilaje Road in the Bariga area of Lagos State staged a peaceful protest on Wednesday against the recent decision by the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) to rename the historic road after legendary musician King Sunny Ade.

The demonstrators, comprising community leaders, youth groups, and cultural associations, described the renaming as an attempt to erase their collective identity and undermine their ancestral legacy.

The move, which has stirred widespread outrage in the community, was reportedly approved by the immediate past LCDA Chairman, David Kolade Alabi, just before the end of his tenure, despite previous objections from residents.

Addressing the gathering, the Baale of Ilaje/Bariga, High Chief Kayode Ayetiwa, emphasized the deep historical significance of Ilaje Road, which he said has existed since 1948 and represents a core symbol of the Ilaje people’s presence in Lagos.

“We will not allow the legacy and name of Ilaje Road to be erased, no matter how prominent the individual chosen for the renaming may be,” Ayetiwa declared.

He revealed that the newly inaugurated LCDA Chairperson, Bukola Adedeji, had reached out to him prior to the protest, appealing for calm and assuring him of her willingness to revisit and potentially reverse the controversial decision.

Despite her assurances, the protest went ahead as planned, with a formal petition submitted to the council by community leaders.

In their petition, the residents accused former chairman Alabi of acting unilaterally and without consulting elected ward councillors or seeking community consent, branding the renaming unconstitutional and disrespectful.

The protest letter further called for the immediate restoration of the original name and the institutionalization of a proper community engagement process before any future renaming of landmarks.

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Raphael Irowanu, President General of Egbe Omo Ilaje, a prominent socio-cultural organisation representing Ilaje indigenes, warned that the road renaming was part of a broader pattern of marginalisation and displacement targeting the Ilaje community in Lagos.

“With a population of about four million in Lagos alone, the Ilaje people are not just historically relevant but politically significant,” Irowanu said.

“What we are witnessing, including ongoing demolitions in our communities, is an orchestrated attempt to erase us from our rightful place in this state.”

He acknowledged that King Sunny Ade—who hails from Ondo State like the Ilaje—is a respected music icon but maintained that naming Ilaje Road after him would only deepen divisions rather than promote unity.

“We are not opposed to honouring icons, but it must not come at the cost of trampling on another group’s identity. Ilaje Road is not just a name; it is a living legacy,” he said.

Irowanu also issued a strong warning to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that the party risks alienating the Ilaje population ahead of the 2027 elections if such disregard for their community continues.

“If this matter is not resolved in favour of justice and fairness, the APC should not expect our votes in the coming elections,” he cautioned.

Protesters carried placards bearing messages such as “Ilaje Road Must Stay”, “Respect Our History”, and “No to Forced Renaming”, as they marched through the community in a show of unity and resistance.

The protest underscores growing community discontent with administrative decisions perceived as exclusionary, and it places pressure on the current LCDA leadership to restore the road’s original name in deference to local heritage.

As the situation continues to unfold, all eyes are now on Chairperson Bukola Adedeji to follow through on her promise to review the issue—one that has now become a litmus test for community engagement and inclusive governance in Bariga.