Emmanuel Clement.
The Iyade Royal Family of Ikeja has publicly distanced itself from Tajudeen Murtala Raji, declaring that he is neither an indigene nor a recognized member of the royal lineage of the ancient town.
Speaking during a press conference attended by princes, princesses, elders and other stakeholders, members of the family rejected claims linking Raji to the ancestral heritage of Ikeja, insisting that such narratives do not reflect the true history and traditional structure of the community.
The royal family maintained that Ikeja’s identity and traditional institutions cannot be altered through propaganda or self-recognition, stressing that indigene status is determined by verifiable lineage, family history and communal acceptance.
Prince Musiliu Afariogun, identified as the head of the Iyade Royal Family, reportedly stated that neither Tajudeen Murtala Raji nor those promoting his claims are known within the established family structure of Ikeja.
According to the family, attempts to project Raji as a bona fide son of the community are misleading and contrary to the historical realities preserved by the authentic custodians of Ikeja’s heritage.
The family went further to challenge Raji to publicly provide credible evidence of any ancestral ties to the royal lineage if he truly claims to belong to the community.
Several respected elders and community leaders present at the gathering reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the integrity, culture and history of Ikeja from what they described as false narratives aimed at gaining political relevance.
Investigator news reports that the controversy has continued to attract reactions from residents and political observers, many of whom warned against attempts to create a sense of supremacy or domination within Ikeja politics.
Stakeholders insist that Ikeja remains a community built on collective leadership, democratic values and historical truth, emphasizing that no individual holds king-like authority over the town.