Kunle Adelabu
The Office of the Ayangbure of Ikorodu Kingdom has refuted the claim that the popular Nollywood actress who recently suffered marriage breakdown is in any way related to His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Kabir Adewale Shotobi.
An online news medium, Gazelle in a report claimed that the mother of the actress who is rumored to be running mate of the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr AbidulAzeez Olajide Adediran popularly called, ‘Jandor’, is a sister to the Ikorodu monarch.
In a statement signed by Otunba Ayodele Elesho, KJW, the Agba Akin of Ikorodu and former Commissioner for Information, Lagos State, the palace stated unequivocally that Funke Akindele’s mother is not in any way related to the Ayangbure of Ikorodu.
“My attention has just been invited to a story by Gazelle News titled: Funke ‘Jenifa’ Akindele is Running Mate to Lagos PDP Governorship candidate, Jandor” which has gone viral on social media:, the statement stated.
“In the publication, it was stated that Funke Akindele’s mother is my immediate junior sister of the same parents, a story which is very far from the truth.
“I wish to state clearly without any ambiguity that I am not related to Funke Akindele’s mother in any way”, Ayangbure palace stated.
“I am a bonafide son of Lasunwon Ruling house on my father’s side, from where l got the golden opportunity of ascending the throne of Ayangbure of Ikorodu seven years ago.
“My late mother was equally a bonafide daughter of Rademo Ruling house and to the best of my knowledge, Funke Akindele’s mother does not belong to any of the two Royal families in Ikorodu.
“I am very much aware that Funke Akindele’s father, late Very Reverend Idowu Akindele was an indigene of Ikorodu, but to the best of my knowledge, he was not related in any way to any of the two Royal families in Ikorodu, not to talk of Funke Akindele’s mother, who is believed to be from the Eastern part of Nigeria’, the statement signed by Otunba Elesho also clarified.
“To put the record straight, none of Funke Akindele’s parents were related to me.
The palace warned against using the Ikorodu monarch’s name for any political gain whatsoever and directed the news medium to immediately retract the story with the statement of the palace denying the reported story.
“I wish to place on record that as first class monarch in Lagos State, l am not involved in politics and nobody should drag my name into politics or use my name to get cheap political gain or popularity”, it stated.
“Finally, I hereby demand that the Gazelle News from where the story originated must immediately publish this rejoinder conspicuously, as well as the social media houses that circulated the false story:, Ayangbure palace directed.
