LAGOS — The Ilaje community in Bariga, Lagos State, has strongly rejected the renaming of its historic Ilaje Street after music legend King Sunny Ade, describing the move as a deliberate attempt to erase the community’s identity and heritage.

The controversy erupted following the announcement by former Chairman of the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA), David Kolade Alabi, who last Friday unveiled a street renaming initiative to honour notable Nigerians. Among the changes was the renaming of Ilaje Street to King Sunny Ade Street.

The decision has since sparked widespread condemnation, with members of the Ilaje community staging a protest on Wednesday. Residents marched through the streets, carrying placards and chanting slogans demanding the reversal of the name change.

In an exclusive interview with PUNCH Metro on Thursday, President General of Egbe Omo Ilaje Worldwide, Raphael Irowainu, described the council’s action as a “calculated attempt to decimate” the Ilaje people in Lagos State.

“It was a calculated attempt by the political elites and some Yoruba ethnic groups to erase the historical and cultural involvement of the Ilaje people in the creation of Lagos State,” he said.

According to Irowainu, the Bariga area was founded in 1948 by Ilaje forebears, who he claimed developed the area before the government’s intervention. He also accused the state government of engaging in a broader pattern of marginalisation.

“On March 7, the Lagos State Government, in connivance with some persons, went to another Ilaje community and demolished the area. A monarch in Oworo sent people to demolish parts of Ilaje in Oworonshoki. Go to Majidun, and you will hear a similar story. These are calculated events to erase and decimate the Ilaje people,” he alleged.

Irowainu emphasized the Ilaje people’s contributions to Lagos’ formation, noting they are one of the three early Yoruba settlers in the state, alongside the Awori and Ijebu.

“We are not strangers. We are Yorubas just like any other Yoruba. Ilaje is a recognised sub-ethnic group in Yorubaland,” he stated.

He also questioned the location chosen to honour King Sunny Ade, pointing out that there is an Ondo Street in Ebute Meta which could have been more appropriate.

“They now want to rename Ilaje Street to King Sunny Ade Street, when we have Ondo Street in Ebute Meta. Why not rename that one if they truly want to honour him? This is a war against the Ilaje people,” he said.

The community has since submitted a petition to the authorities and is preparing for legal action. Irowainu argued that the LCDA does not have constitutional powers to rename streets.

“If it requires going through legal means, we will do it. Even the so-called LCDA is illegal. The constitution only recognises 20 local governments not LCDAs. It’s only the local governments that have the power to rename streets, and even at that, there must be consultation with the affected communities,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, David Kolade Alabi defended the initiative, saying the renaming was meant to honour individuals who have brought global acclaim to Bariga.

“As an administration, we took our time to reflect on a number of our people who have put the name of our local council out on the global map through their respective God-given talents and crafts,” Alabi said.

Efforts to reach the current LCDA Chairperson, Bukola Adedeji, for comment were unsuccessful, as she did not respond to calls or messages as of the time of filing this report.

The dispute adds to ongoing debates over identity, representation, and historical recognition in Nigeria’s most populous state.