The monarch of Atijere Kingdom in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Samuel Adeoye, has called on the National Boundary Commission to intervene in the ongoing boundary dispute between Ondo and Ogun states concerning the oil-rich Eba Island.
Oba Adeoye cautioned prospective investors against purchasing land from any single community in the disputed area. He insisted that all affected kingdoms must be involved in decisions concerning the island pending a final resolution of the boundary dispute.
The monarch condemned Ogun State’s claim to the ownership of the island, asserting that the territory rightfully belongs to Ondo State. This comes as both states have recently been embroiled in controversy over the island's ownership, with each laying claim to it.
The Ogun State Government has reaffirmed its territorial jurisdiction over the island, located in the Ogun Waterside Local Government Area. It dismissed claims by the Ondo State Government as misleading and capable of triggering avoidable communal tension.
Conversely, the Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Kayode Ajulo, described the dispute as astonishing. He argued that all official records and decades of administration had long recognised the island as part of Ondo State.
Speaking at a meeting held at his palace in Atijere on Thursday, Oba Adeoye decried the renewed controversy over the land's ownership. He disclosed that although the NBC was aware of the dispute, it had yet to resolve it, alleging that efforts to bring Ondo and Ogun states together for discussions had not yielded the desired results.
The traditional ruler noted that the renewed attention on the island was largely driven by the recent discovery of oil deposits. He stressed that there had been no controversy over its ownership for decades before this discovery.
Oba Adeoye stated, “The NBC is aware of the crisis that is going on, but they lack the political will to do anything. But they are on it. I remember that NBC wrote a letter asking for a meeting between the two states. The meeting was to be held in April, this year but Ogun State said they had no chance.”
He added that Ondo State has written numerous letters on the need for the NBC to address the issue, especially since the commission had previously directed that the status quo be maintained before the oil discovery.
Oba Adeoye highlighted that Eba Island and its surrounding settlements have existed for many years, with residents tracing their ancestry to the Ilaje area long before many migrated to larger communities. He also cited the conduct of elections in the disputed area as evidence of Ondo State’s administrative presence, noting that polling units were located there during previous electoral exercises, including the recently concluded Ondo South Senatorial bye-election.
With oil-related activities already commenced on the island, Oba Adeoye urged the Federal Government not to sideline his domain. He called for the inclusion of all communities surrounding the island when full-scale operations begin.
“What I want is that our rights should be given to us. We must be considered as part of the oil-producing community. If they want to do anything there, they must come to Atijere and discuss with us,” the monarch stressed. He reiterated that it is the duty of the National Boundary Commission, not individual states, to determine boundaries in such disputes.
The controversy over the island’s ownership has deepened, with leaders in Ogun State and officials of Ondo State’s oil commission trading claims and counter-claims. Weeks after, the House of Representatives mandated its relevant committees to investigate the territorial status of the island. This resolution followed the adoption of a motion at plenary moved by Joseph Adegbesan, the member representing Odigbo/Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Federal Constituency.
