By Awyetu Asabe Hope
Traditional rulers and stakeholders from communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have rejected claims by neighbouring Ogun State over the ownership of Eba Island, an oil-rich area along the boundary of the two states.
Both states have recently laid claim to the island, escalating tensions over territorial jurisdiction and control of potential oil resources.
The Ogun State Government has reaffirmed that the island falls within its jurisdiction in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, describing Ondo’s claims as misleading and capable of triggering unnecessary communal tension.
However, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State, Kayode Ajulo, described the claim as “astonishing,” saying historical records and decades of administration recognise the island as part of Ondo State.
Reacting to the dispute, Ilaje traditional rulers under the auspices of the Ilaje Local Government Traditional Chieftaincy Committee appealed to the Federal Government of Nigeria to intervene and prevent a possible communal crisis.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the committee insisted that claims by traditional rulers from Ogun Waterside and the Ijebu axis were historically inaccurate and contradicted established administrative and geographical records.
The statement was jointly signed by the chairman of the committee, Oba Williams Akinyomi, the Amapetu of Mahinland, and the secretary, Oba Femi Ogbaro, the Odoka of Ogbara Kingdom.
The monarchs maintained that Eba Island belongs to Ondo State and warned that they would resist any attempt to annex the territory.
“We respect the Federal Government and the President of Nigeria and trust that equity and justice will prevail. Our message to the Ogun Government is that they should remain where they are; we will not allow them to claim illegitimate lands,” the statement said.
They added that if the issue is not resolved through dialogue, the communities are prepared to pursue legal action.
The monarchs also cited electoral evidence to support their claim, noting that Lugboroko Polling Unit 24 and Basa Polling Unit 21, located within the Eba Island Forest Reserve, fall under Mahin Ward IV in Ilaje Local Government Area.
According to them, the existence of the polling units within the Nigerian electoral framework further confirms Ilaje’s longstanding administrative control over the area.
They also recalled that when the Mahin District was incorporated into the Lagos Colony in 1895, Atijere and surrounding communities were part of the district.
The creation of the Atijere Native Court in 1937, they said, placed Eba Island and neighbouring settlements under its jurisdiction.
While expressing support for oil exploration and development in the area, the Ilaje monarchs reiterated that they would resist any attempt to annex Ilaje land.
They also called for an on-site investigation involving representatives of the affected communities and officials from both states to establish the true ownership of the island.